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33  WFST  MAIK  STREET 

i.\!"3STTiJ  N.V    14580 
(716)  1)72-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


€^ 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
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copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  pui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  rieuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m^thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


0 


Coloured  covers/ 
iLJ    Couverture  de  cou^eur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


D 


D 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pelliculde 


□    Cover  title  missing/ 
Leti 


tre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  g6ographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


D 
D 

n 
n 


y 


Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag^es 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur6es  et/ou  pelliculdes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolor^es,  tachetdes  ou  piqu6es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tachees 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


□ 


n 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
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Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
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II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout^es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais.  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  film^es. 


D 
D 
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Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  indgale  de  rimpressi<>n 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
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Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
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Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmies  &  nouveau  de  facon  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


0 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires: 


Irregular  pagination  :    [1]- 38,  381-384  p. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film^  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqud  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


SOX 


_y 

12X 


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32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  the  Public 
Archives  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grdue  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

La  bibliothdque  des  Ar^.  hives 
publiques  du  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
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beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compts  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  Texemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  film^s  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  c&s.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commengant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END  "), 
whichever  applies 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ^>  signifie  "A  SUIVPE",  le 
symbols  y  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  ittre 
filmds  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichd,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  I'angle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  r§cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1 

2 

3 

1  2  3 

4  5  6 


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(  .  , 


PLANS 


FOX 


BEAUTIFYING    NEW   YORK, 


AND  FOB 


ENLARGING  AND  IMPROVING 


THE    CITY    OF    BOSTON. 


BEING,  STUDIES  TO  ILLUSTRATE  THE  SCIENCE  OF 
CITY  BUILDING. 


BY  ROBERT  FLEMING  GOURLAY. 


■      -7    •"**V" 


"  Go  to,  let  u*  build  us  a  City." 


BOSTON: 

PUBLTSHRD  BY  CROCKER  &  BREWSTER, 

AND 

SAXTOM,   PEIRCE,  &  CO. 
1844. 


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f/A^.  /,"   Z^"'^,^     \\ 


FOS 


BEAUTIFYING    NEW  YORK, 


AND  FOB 


ENLARGING  AND  IMPROVING 


THE    CITY    OF    BOSTON. 


BEING,  STUDIES  TO  ILLUSTRATE  THE  SCIENCE  OF 
CITY  BUILDING. 


BY  ROBERT  FLEMING  GOURLAY. 


'  Go  to,  let  ui  build  us  a  City." 


BOSTON: 

publishp:d  by  crocker  &  brewstek, 


ANO 


SAXTON,   PEIRCE,  &  CO. 
1844. 


,  ( 


ill 


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I. 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  Year  Eighteen  Hundred  and  Forty- Two, 

By  ROBERT  FLEMING  GOURLAY. 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

Offering  this  little  work  to  the  public,  I  would  have  it  known  as  a  result  of  accidents. 
Detained  at  New  York,  1834  and  1835,  month  after  month,  without  object,  I  had  to  fix  my 
thoughts  on  something,  and  it  was  at  least  Innocent  to  contemplate  improvements  of  the 
city.  Many  plans  were  then  conceived  ;  but  one  only  produced  —  No.  1  —  which  is  here 
exhibited.  Similar  circumstances,  in  Boston,  this  and  the  last  year,  led  to  projects  of  the 
same  kind  Last  year,  I  handed  about  a  small  pamphlet  caUing  attention  to  the  improve- 
ment of  the  Common,  —a  number  of  "  The  Neptunian,"  now  included  in  this ;  and,  by 
and  bye,  was  led  to  conceptions  of  vast  importance,  which  I  confidently  trust  may  be 
gravely  considered,  and  speedily  acted  on.  But,  the  whole  is  subsidiary  to  higher  objects 
still ;  — and,  in  concert  with  the  great  purpose  of  my  life,  — bettering  the  condition  of  the 
laboring  classes,  which  has  brought  me,  twice,  to  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 

At  Edinburgh,  1829,  the  first  number  of  a  projected  series  on  the  subject  of  city-build- 
ing was  published.  That  did  not  then  proceed  further,  but  the  project  was  not,  and  is 
not  abandoned.  Should  this  pamphlet  pay,  I  would  republish  that,  and  then  a  few  num- 
bers more,  sufficiently  to  illustrate  my  meaning,  and  have  established  a  society  for  pro- 
moting the  science  of  city-building,  of  infinite  consequence  to  society  at  large,  especially 
in  regions  yet  to  be  settled.  In  this  pamphlet,  I  have  endeavored,  chiefly,  to  make  clear 
what  is  essential  for  Boston,  at  the  present  time  ;  and,  flung  out  some  hints  which  may  lead 
to  reflections,  otherwise.  At  this  crisis,  the  public  are  not  prepared,  patiently  to  give  ear 
to  any  lengthened  dissertation  on  a  subject  never  before  broached.  Happy  will  it  be 
should  these  hints  stimulatesome  one  better  qualified  to  proceed  ;  for,  here,  I  have  lite- 
rally "  no  continuing  city  "  —  and  know  less  than  any  one,  "  what  a  day  may  bring  forth." 

K.   F.   G. 


•an 
jlli 

If! 


'  ^ 


PLANS 


FOR  IMPROVEMENT  OF  NEW  YORK. 


To  His  Honor,  The  Mayor. 

New  York,  July  15,  1835. 

Sir: — I  am  author  of  "  Plans  for  improvement  of  Edinburgh," 
which  were  published  at  different  times  in  Scotland,  some  years 
ago ;  and  one  of  which  was  dispatched  from  thence  to  Washington, 
with  a  suggestion,  that  "  city  building"  might  be  reduced  to  a 
science,  of  incalculable  value  in  new  settlements,  where  thousands 
of  citieR  are  yet  to  be  founded. 

During  a  residence  of  eighteen  months  in  this  city,  I  have  ob- 
served many  parts  which  might  have  been  better  planned ;  but,  which, 
now,  from  value  of  property  and  entanglement  of  interests,  cannot 
be  easily,  if  ever,  altered ;  and,  I  have  projected  designs,  in  other 
quarters,  which  would  admit,  from  their  convenience,  economy,  and 
magnificence,  of  any  requisite  expenditure,  in  execution. — It  would 
be  vain,  however,  to  particularize,  till  called  on,  and  till  the  public 
are  prepared  to  listen. 

When  the  water  Report  was  approved,  by  vote  of  citizens,  it  seemed 
a  fair  opportunity  to  throw  out  a  hint,  as  to  a  species  of  improvement 
wherein  a  supply  of  water  was  essential;  and,  I  chose  a  spot  for 
illustration,  at  once  fully  in  the  public  eye,  and  where  the  interest 
of  a  wealthy  individual  was  more  immediately  concerned.  To  him 
I  addressed  a  letter,  with  a  sketch ;  and  a  copy  being  shown  to  many 
others,  was  highly  approved  of,  by  all. 

It  was  my  intention,  at  an  early  day,  to  present  one  to  the  Board 
of  Aldermen ;  but,  not  being  professional,  I  had  to  employ  a  Draughts- 
man, and  he  has  delayed,  till  now,  furnishing  me  with  what  accom- 
panies this  letter. 

My  proposal  is,  to  cut  off  the  narrow  point  of  the  Park ;  and,  where 
the  gate  now  stands,  to  enclose  a  circular  space  with  a  Jet  d'eau 
in  the  centre,  and  bason  for  the  reception  of  the  falling  water,  en- 
groved  with  shrubbery,  and,  a  few  weeping  v/illows. 


The  Croton  water,  by  report,  is  to  rise  to  seven  feet  above  the 
highest  roof  in  the  city,  which  would  nfTord  a  Jet  of  some  40  or  50 
feet.  —  In  hot  weather,  the  view  of  tliis  would  be  dehghtfully  re- 
freshing, and  the  air,  around,  would  be  actually  cooled  by  the  project- 
ed stream.  Indeed,  were  citizeun  accustomed  to  such  luxuries,  they 
would  desire  to  have  fountains  throughout,  in  every  place  adapted 
for  them;  —  such  as  the  Bowling  green,  Franklin  square,  Chatham 
square,  &c.,  &c  ;  —  nor  would  there  be  any  waste  of  water,  as  that 
could  be  conducted  to  other  useful  ends;  and,  there  is  a  purpose  it 
might  be  applied  to,  of  infinite  importance,  in  rendering  the  city  more 
healthy,  wliich,  if  required,  could  be  pointed  out;  and,  which  the 
water  itself  might  regulate,  on  the  beautiful  principle,  iu  operation  at 
Greenock,  in  Scotland.     (  Planned  by  Mr.  Thorn. ) 

By  cutting  off  the  point  of  the  Park,  great  convenience  would  re- 
sult in  the  thoroughfare,  to  and  from  Barclay  street,  Beekman  street, 
&c.  Carriages  setting  down,  and  taking  up  company  at  the  Theatre, 
Hotels,  Chnrches,  &c.,  would  avoid  confusion,  by  sweeping  round 
the  Fountain ;  while  the  danger  to  foot  passengers,  at  the  crossings, 
would  be  greatly  lessened. 

The  Park,  itself,  would  be  improved,  as  the  narrow  point  causes 
a  huddle,  and  tends  to  lessen  it,  in  appearance.  The  gate,  too,  is 
unsightly,  and  gives  place  to  nuisance. 

The  cost  of  exhibiting  this  improvement  would  be  trifling,  as  a 
temporary  Jet  could  be  introduced ;  and,  when  the  Croton  water  was 
brought  into  the  city,  the  public  would  be  fully  prepared  to  sustain 
it,  and  others  of  the  kind. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  say  more  at  present,  as  the  accompanying 
drawing  will  make  all  sufficiently  clear ;  and,  I  have  now  only  to  beg 
that  you  will  honor  me  by  laying  the  same,  with  this  letter,  before 
the  Board. 

Most  respectfully  yours, 

ROB.  F.  GOURLAY. 


!^i^ 


To    IIlS    HONOK,  THE   MaYOR. 

To  be  eommnnicated  to  the  Board  of  Aldermen: — 

Astor  House, (No.  Ifti,)  Nov.  21, 1842, 

.Sir — Last  Friday,  I  cilled  at  the  City  Hall,  to  liand  yoti  a  Plan  for  Improvement 
OF  New- York,  with  a  copy  of  a  letter,  submitted  to  the  Board  of  Aldermen  by  the  then 
Mayor,  July,  ISar). 

Its  reception,  by  the  Board,  was  announced  in  the  Newspapers  of  the  day  ;  but  I  left 
the  city  a  few  weeks  after,  and  returned  only  last  week. 

On  coming  to  town,  several  of  my  friends  congratulated  me,  on  the  completion  of  what 
1  suggested, — The  Fountains, — and  I  pr-^sume  there  will  bo  no  question  on  that>core. 

Should  I  now  be  honored  with  notice,  there  is  a  subject  of  much  greater  importance  to 
be  spoken  of;  and,  as  to  that,  I  left  a  packet,  in  care  of  Cornelius  N.  Lawrence,  the  day 
on  which  I  departed  for  Ohio,  of  which  I  have  still  a  copy. 

In  Ohio,  after  the  great  fire^  I  addressed  His  Honor,  on  the  subject  of  rebuilding ;  but, 
most  likely,  that  ii  destroyed  ;  though  I  retain  a  copy. 

Had  1  seen  you  on  Friday,  I  meant  to  have  requested  a  .search  for  my  original  Plan  and 
description  of  the  Fountains,  and  would  still.  Many  individual!  remember  seeing  it,  as 
now  copied  out. 

Being  in  feeble  health,  I  dar*  not  Tenture  much  out,  in  face  of  the  cutting  frost-wind ; 
but,  would  be  much  gratified  with  an  acknowledgement  of  this,  and  an  interview,  should 
your  engagement!  admit,  one  of  these  three  day«  I  still  propose  remaining  in  the  Citjr. 

I.  am,  respectfully,  yours, 

ROBERT  F.  GOURLAY. 


6 


Plans  for  the  Improvement  of  New  York, 


BY  R    F.  G.  — No.  1. 


ELEVATION    OF    THE    FOUNTAIN 


BROAD- WAY 


.u, 


ifi 


NOTE. 

Boston,  Aug.  16,  1844. 

Immkdiatilt  after  my  letter,  1835,  wivu  the  plan,  was  delivered  at 
the  City  Hall,  I  left  New  York,  for  two  weeka.  Oa  returning,  a  friend  told 
me  he  had  seen  firm  Newspapers,  that  the  subject  was  under  consideration 
of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  and  advised  me  to  call  for  compensation ;  but,  I 
said  it  would  be  soon  enough,  when  Croton  River  was  brought  to  the  city. 
I  forthwith  set  off  for  Ohio ;  and,  there,  and  in  Canada,  was  detained,  by  ill 
health,  years  beyond  expectation. 

When  the  great  fire  happened  in  New  York,  I  conceived  a  grand  project 
for  rebuilding,  on  a  plan  of  magnificence,  convanienee,  and  safety  from  fire; 
surpassing  all  that  ever  had  been.  A  letter,  offering  services,  was  despatched 
to  the  Mayor ;  but,  soon  after,  it  appeared,  that  the  hurry  of  individual  pro- 
prietors, would  frustrate  this,  and  it  was  abandoned.  (My  letter  was  dated 
January  12,  1836 ;  and,  if  it  was  laid  before  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  may  yet 
be  on  the  file.) 

Being  at  Avon  Springe,  for  health,  September  1842,  T  read  an  account  of 
the  opening  of  the  Fountains,  in  the  New  York  Herald,  and  wrote  to 
the  Editor,  on  the  subject,  but  no  notice  of  my  letter  appeared.  Coming  to 
New  York,  in  November  following,  I  copied  out  the  above,  and  with  a  plan, 
handed  it  in,  for  perusal  of  the  Mayor.  The  Clerk  had  just  received  these 
from  me,  when  a  person  hurried  to  tell  us  that  Colt  had  killed  himself,  and 
the  prison  was  on  fire.  This  changed  the  subject;  and  sure  enough,  on  get- 
ling  out  of  doors,  I  saw  the  blaze.  Being  then  out  of  town  three  days,  I  had 
no  opportunity  of  paying  my  personal  respects ;  but  wrote  to  his  Honor  on  the 
subject,  (November  21,)  and  came  off  to  New  England:  —  where,  till  now, 
I  have  had  no  good  opportunity  to  explain.  The  matter,  however,  stands 
on  record,  at  the  City  Hall,  as  having  been  referred  to  a  Committee. 

Contemplating  many  plans  for  the  improvement  of  New  York  City,  the 
Tery  first  that  appeared  most  essential,  was  cutting  off  the  sharp  corner  of 
the  Park ;  and,  my  design  was,  to  place  an  equestrian  statue  of  Washington 
in  the  centre  of  the  cleared  space :  —  which  was  set  aside  for  the  Fountain; 
when  it  appeared  certain  that  Croton  water  would  be  introduced. 

I  was  informed,  1835,  that,  without  the  leave  of  Congress,  the  Park  could 
not  be  lessened,  or  altered ;  but,  if  so,  that  could  readily  be  obtained  ;  and,  I 
yet  think,  cutting  off  the  corner  by  far  the  most  essential  improvement  for 
the  convenience  of  all,  —  to  say  nothing  of  bettering  appearances.  The 
Fountain,  in  the  midst  of  a  cleared  space,  would  then  be  woU  displayed ;  and 
be  a  marked  object,  from  every  point ;  besides,  in  my  humble  opinion,  a  simple 
jet  would  be  in  far  better  ta-te,  than  the  fantastic  forms,  in  wliich  the  water 
is  now  made  to  play. 

My  chief  object,  in  publishing  my  letter  to  the  Mayor,  with  ray  plan,  is  to 
draw  attention  to  this  subject,  which  appears  highly  important.  The  foun- 
tain, where  it  now  is,  produces  little  effect ;  and  in  it  ct,  adds  to  the 
huddle  of  the  ugly  gate,  and  loathsome  corner. 

My  wood-cut  has  been  poorly  executed ;  but,  readers  will  have  no  difHculty 
ia  conjuring  up  something  better. 


PLANS 

FOR  IMPROVEMENT  OF  BOSTON. 


No.  1. 


To  His  Honor,  the  Mayor  of  Boston. 


Sir  :  Having  resided  in  this  city  four  months,  and  had  much  en- 
joyment, with  improved  health,  walking  in  your  glorious  Common, 
I  would  now,  about  to  depart,  gladly  leave  behind  a  token  of  grati- 
tude and  usefulness. 

The  accompanying  Testimonials  show  that  I  was  once  a  Farmer: 
and,  assured  of  this,  you  will  be  more  disposed  to  listen  to  what 
follows : 

The  Common,  I  understand,  was  once  pastured  with  cows,  and  a 
friend  tells  me  he  used  to  have  pleasure  looking  at  them :  neverthe- 
less, they  were  objected  to,  and  excluded.  I  would  substitute  sheep, 
— ewes  and  lambs;  bt  t  all  exclaim  against  this.  Sheep,  they  say, 
would  never  do :  boys  and  dogs  would  chase  them :  they  would  run 
off:  they  would  soil  the  paths,  and  bark  the  trees.  No  such  thing. 
I  would  construct  a  movable  fold,  elevated  six  feet,  with  an  inclined 
gangway,  for  entrance.  The  floor  should  be  perforated  for  drainage 
of  all  moisture ;  and  hatches  made  I'or  the  ready  discharge  of  dung. 
Near  the  Common  is  a  depot  for  street-sweepings.  Over  these,  I 
would  place  the  fold,  movable  at  pleasure,  on  rails,  so  that  drop- 
pings would  be  mixed  with  these,  as  manure,  economically.  In 
England,  I  had  five  hundred  ewes  and  upwards,  with  their  lambs, 
which,  from  the  middle  of  March  till  the  second  week  of  May,  were 
fed  on  fifty-two  acres  of  water-meadow,  and  folded  on  arable  land  pre- 
paring for  a  crop  of  barley.  The  sheep  were  let  run  from  the  fold 
towards  11  o'clock,  and  driven  back  from  the  meadow  about  3.  Eve- 
ning and  morning  they  had  hay  in  cribs ;  but,  of  this,  they  ate  little, 
—  their  principal  food  being  the  grass,  on  which  they  throve  sur- 
prisingly. Hastening  to  the  meadow,  they  dropt  nothing ;  and,  re- 
turning, swelled  like  full  blown  bladders,  they  let  little  fall  by  the 
way,  —  the  food  in  their  stomachs  being  yet  too  crude  for  discharge. 
Thup,  no  filth  was  to  be  seen. 

Ewes  and  lambs  let  run  twice  a  day  on  the  Common,  three  hours 
each  time,  would  need  no  hay.  A  man,  with  a  dog,  would  manage 
ail,  and  protect  them  from  annoyance.  Citizens,  both  old  and  young, 
would  admire  the  animals,  and  hold  them  sacred.  Let  out  to  pas- 
ture, hungry,  Ihe  sheep  would  not  loiter  on  paths,  to  soil  them  ;  and 
the  few  trees,  yet  of  tender  growth,  could  b".  fenced  in  ;  although, 
in  fact,  the  flock,  having  abundant  grass,  would  touch  none  of  them. 
— Ewer,  with  lambs,  could  be  purchased  when  required ;  the  lambs, 
when  fit  for  the  butcher,  sold  off  gradually ;  and  so,  afterwards,  the 


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8 

ewes,  till  the  whole  concern  was  closed  with  the  season.  Any 
American  Farmer  can  calculate  the  profit :  I  would  guess,  at  least  a 
thousand  dollars  a  year.  Sometimes,  in  England,  I  have  let  my 
water-meadow,  for  spring  feed,  as  it  was  called,  from  the  middle  of 
March  till  the  second  week  of  May,  for  £2  sterling  per  acre.  The 
owner  of  the  pasturing  stock  found  hay,  and  I  had  the  manure,  to 
boot,  from  his  sheep  folded  on  ray  land.  —  To  the  city  of  Boston 
profit  i^  a  secondary  concern ;  but,  by  pasturing  only,  can  the  Com- 
mon be  most  beautified.  Look,  at  this  moment,  to  the  mowing  sys- 
tem, and  see  how  objectionable  it  is.  No  where  is  the  mowing 
well  done  :  in  some  places,  as  ill  as  possible  ;  and,  in  other  places, 
the  grass,  run  to  seed  and  wirey,  cannot  be  mowed.  The  hue  of 
the  verdure  is  not  uniform,  nor,  so  pleasant  to  the  eye,  as  it  may  be, 
by  pasturage.  Under  the  mowing  system,  the  gmss  is-  never  fit  for 
walking  on ; — certainly  not  when  wet  with  rain  or  dew  •  nor,  thus 
treated,  is  the  Common  available  for  fetes  and  reviews.  Let  it  be 
pastured  with  sheep,  levelled  where  required,  weeded,  top  dressed, 
«nd  rolled,  —  I  shall  engage  thai,  in  a  few  years,  the  surface  may  be 
trod  on,  at  all  times,  with  comfort;  and  rival,  in  appearance,  the 
'finest  carpet. 

Having  read  this  letter,  may  I  beg  of  you  to  honor  me  by  laying 
it  before  the  Board  of  Aldermen. 

Most  respectfully  yours, 

ROB.  F.  GOURLAY. 

Marlboro'  Hotel,  June  15,  1843. 


i 


No.  2. 

Sir  :  Understanding  that  you  laid  before  the  Board  of  Aldermen, 
iTiy  letter  of  June  15,  I  now  beg  you  will  do  me  like  honor,  by  laying 
this,  with  the  accompanying  Map  of  a  Pagoda  and  Flower  Grarden, 
before  the  same. 

When  summer  set  in,  nothing  seemed  to  me  so  unaccountable  as 
the  Common  not  being  frequented  by  Ladies.  By  and  by,  it  oc- 
curred, that  want  of  proper  resting-places  caused  this ;  and  seated, 
daily,  on  the  eminence  beyond  the  Big  Tree,  at  once  to  rest  and  en- 
joy the  delightful  prospects  —  the  stirring  scenes  on  the  railways, 
and  beautiful  country  beyond  —  Roxbury,  Brookline,  Brighton,  &c. 
&c.,  it  struck  me,  that,  a  Pagoda  erected  on  that  spot,  with  a  Flower 
Garden  adjoining,  and  a  Refectory,  would  supply  every  want. 

For  some  weeks  I  have  been  employed  drawing,  and  submitting 
Plani  to  my  friends.  All  pronounce  the  idea  a  happy  one ;  but 
some  say  it  cannot  be  executed,  because  of  an  ancient  charter, 
which  forbids  bu-lding  on  the  Common.  This,  I  hold  at  naught,  as- 
sured that  it  never  could  be  contemplated  to  bar  out  what  would 
promote  the  chief  end  of  the  Common, — recreation  and  enjoyment 
to  the  citizens  at  large.  Such  objection  might  be  urged  against 
gates,  fences,  and  fire-works. 

My  plan  would  not  be  costly ;  nay,  I  would  ensure  ten  per  cent, 
on  any  outlay  of  money,  for  any  term  of  years. 

The  first  floor  of  the  Pagoda,  I  would  make  free  to  all ;  and  exact 


9 

payment  from  those  choosing  to  ascend  the  Pagoda,  or  walk  in  the 
Garden. 

People,  with  whom  I  have  spoken  on  the  subject,  say  that  noth- 
ing, in  Boston,  would  be  so  profitable ;  and,  that  cash  would  readily 
be  advanced  to  the  City  Authorities,  for  execution  :  certainly,  noth- 
ing could  contribute  so  much  to  health  and  happiness. 

Mounting  the  State  House,  or  the  Monument,  thence  to  view 
scenery  unrivalled  on  this  continent,  is  toil  —  disagreeable  toil ;  and, 
at  the  top,  there  is  no  comfort.  The  Pagoda,  having  an  easy  stair, 
might  be  ascended,  even  by  the  old  and  infirm, — resting  stage  after 
stage,  and,  tempted  on,  by  the  growing  glory  around.  At  the  *op, 
the  view  would  be  Uttle  less  extensive  than  from  the  State  House 
or  Monument:  otherwise,  it  would  be  superior,  —  free  from  giddi- 
ness, and  fringed  below,  on  the  foreground,  with  foliage.  The  Tel- 
escope, too,  would  be  an  attraction,  to  be  used  either  for  the  survey 
of  the  earth,  or  the  heavens. 

It  has  been  hiuted,  that,  my  being  a  Foreigner  will  militate  against 
adopting  the  Plan.  Surely  not.  Successors  of  the  Pilgrims  will 
ever  keep  in  mind  that  they  were  Foreigners.  Besides,  were  my 
history  known,  it  would  be  allowed  that  no  one  has  better  claims  to 
nursing  in  the  Cradle  of  Liberty,  —  a  martyr  to  freedom,  since  the 
year  1808. 

I  have  been  detained  here  months  beyond  expectation  ;  but,  the 
more  am  I  attached  to  your  famed  city,  and  the  more  am  I  disposed 
to  contribute  my  mite  towards  its  improvement. 

Your  obed't  and  very  humble  servant, 

Marlboro'  Hotel,  July  11, 1843.  ROB.  F.  GOURLAY. 


No.  3.  TO    THE    SAME. 

Sir :  —  It  was  not  my  intention  again  to  trouble  you  ;  but,  the 
wretched  appearance,  —  the  "green  and  yellow  melancholy"  of  the 
Common,  at  this  time,  urges  me  to  write,  and  to  say  that  it  might  be 
otherwise.  In  short,  Sir,  I  would  engage,  as  an  Agkiculturist,  that 
its  verdure  could  be  kept  bright  all  summer ;  and  more,  that  you 
may  have  grass  in  Spring  earlier,  and,  in  Fall,  later, — thus  increas- 
ing the  enjoyment  of  citizens  —  objects,  surely,  worthy  of  conside- 
ration. 

I  came  to  Boston,  solely  to  be  at  the  nearest  point,  in  the  United 
States,  for  correspondence  with  my  family  in  Scotland;  and,  same 
timCi  to  be  in  the  line  of  communicating  with  Canada,  where  I  have 
property  and  business.  In  Boston,  I  have  had  much  satisfaction 
every  way,  and  infinite  pleasure,  walking  in  the  Common.  To  Bos- 
ton and  its  people,  I  have  become  attached ;  and,  confident  that  my 
suggestions  may  be  made  available  for  the  improvement  of  the  City, 
I  hereby  offer  my  services,  to  realize  the  same. 

First:  — I  will  engage,  by  pasturage,  to  make  the  Common,  in- 
stead of  a  bill  of  expense,  profitable  ;  while  the  surface  shall,  at  all 
times,  be  in  the  best  condition  for  walking  on. 

Second  :  —  I  will  insure  ten  per  cent,  interest,  on  any  money  ju- 
diciously laid  out  on  a  Pagoda  and  Flower  Garden,  as  planned  by  me. 


.H 


tf 


10 

Third  : — I  will  engage  to  effect  what  is  above  set  forth,  as  to 
the  verdure. 

As  I  aiii  to  remain  here  till  Saturday,  the  Authorities  may,  if  they 
mcline,  see  and  converse  with  me,  on  the  whole  matter :  —  and, 
mean  time,  you  will  honor  me  by  laying  this  letter  before  the  Board 
of  Aldermen.  Respectfully  yours, 

Marlboro'  Hotel,  July  17,  1843.        ROBERT  F.  GOURLAY. 


No.  4. 

To  the  President  of  the  Common  Council  of  Boston  City : 

TO  BE  COMMUNICATED. 

Sir: — Probably  all  communications,  laid  before  the  Board  of 
Aldermen,  are  submitted  to  the  Council ;  but,  as  I  am  little  known 
here,  and  my  letters,  written  at  different  times,  might  not  be  attend- 
ed to,  in  connection,  I  have  thought  it  well,  to  write  out  the  above 
copies,  toQ^ether ;  —  begging  you  will,  in  this  form,  present  them  to 
the  Council. 

It  was  my  wish,  also,  to  annex  a  corrected  Plan;  but  feeble 
health  forbids. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obed't  serv't. 

ROBERT  F.  GOURLAY. 

Marlbord  Hotel,  July  19,  1843. 


No.  6. 

City  Halt,  Boston,  July  21,  1843. 

Sir : — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  several 
communications,  in  relation  to  the  Common,  in  this  city,  which  I 
have  laid  before  the  Committee  on  the  Common,  &c.  I  am  direct- 
ed to  inform  you  that  the  Committee  do  not  consider  themselves, 
or  the  City  Government,  authorized  to  place  a  building  of  any  kind 
on  the  Common, — the  citizens  having  especially  reserved  that 
power  in  their  own  hands.  The  Committee  do  not  deem  it  expe- 
dient to  keep  sheep  on  the  Common. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

R.  F.  GouRLAY,  Esq.  M.  BRIMMER,  Mayor. 

It  now  appearing,  that  the  Citizens  at  large  have  to  determine  ;— 
the  whole,  is  respectfully  submitted  to  their  deliberate  iudgmont. 
Marlboro'  Hotel,  July  21,  1843.  ROBERT  F.  GOURLAY. 


NOTE 


This  correspondence  with  the  Mayor  of  Boston,  &c.,  was  published  in 
No.  9  of  The  Neptunian,  together  with  accounts  of  ray  extraordinary  case 
of  sleeplessness,  extracted  from  the  Boston  Medical  and  Surgical  Journal. 
This  sleeplessness  has  now  continued  five  years  and  eight  months,  with  the 
exception  of  two  hours.  —  It  was  coupled  with  the  subject  of  "  City-build- 
ing," as  it  had  a  considerable  share  in  conjuring;  up  plans,  and  studying 
them. 


11 


TO  THE  CITIZENS  OF  BOSTON. 


Ladies  and  Gentlemen: 

Informed  by  His  Honor  the  Mayor,  that  you  "  have  reserved  in 
your  own  hands  the  power  to  place  a  building  on  the  Common,"  I  have 
caused  plates  to  be  engraved  for  your  better  understanding  my  Plan 
of  a  Pagoda,  &c. 

Permit  me,  therefore,  to  submit  the  same  to  your  inspection ;  and, 
if  approved  by  the  majority,  it  will  be  easy  to  decide,  at  next  annual 
election,  whether  or  no  the  work  shall  proceed. 

My  offers  to  execute  were  made  to  arrest  attention,  as  matter  of 
business.  If  required,  I  would  adhere ; — being  certain  that  all  could 
be  done  to  profit ;  but,  I  wish  no  job  of  the  kind ;  and  many  are 
better  qualified,  for  execution,  than  I  am. 

Before  the  question  is  settled,  I  shall  be  gone  hence :  but,  shall 
ever  bear  in  mind  pleasing  recollections  of  Boston,  where  I  have 
had  more  enjoyment  than  I  could  have  had  any  where  this  side  the 
Atlantic,  from  general  intelligence,  moral  discipline,  and  steady  hab« 
its;  — much  more  than  I  have  experienced  in  any  other  city  —  Lon- 
don, Edinburgh,  or  New  York ; — enjoyment,  which  has  soothed  me 
under  cruel  circumstances;  and,  which,  will  be  continued,  should  I 
succeed  in  adding  to  yours. 

Meantime,  accept  the  best  wishes  of, 

Your  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

ROBEET    F.    GOURLAY. 

Marlboro'  Hotel,  \ 

^ptember  15,  1843.   ) 


\n 


12 


PLAN  AND  ELEVATION 

or 

A  PAGODA,  with  a  FLOWER  GARDEN,  in  Boston  Common. 


13 


)n. 


BESPEOTFULLY  DEDICATED 

TO 

The  good  taste,  and  sound  judfl[nient  of  the  Citizens  at  large. 


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14 
THE    SCIENCE   OF   CITY  BUILDING. 


Landed  at  Quebec,  May  1817,  I  was  immediately  struck  with 
the  miserable  planning  of  that  city ;  —  some  of  its  principal  streets 
being  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  wide,  only.  At  Montreal  it  was 
better.  At  Kingston,  well,  in  this  respect ;  —  the  streets  being  sev- 
enty feet  wide ;  —  sufficient,  where  the  length  is  not  great,  or  the 
stream  of  commerce  excessive, 

At  Buffalo,  the  main  street  appeared  too  wide ;  for,  there  is  a  limit 
beyond  which  inconveniences  are  experienced ;  and,  this  was  more 
apparent  at  Canandaigua. 

At  Detroit —  December  of  the  same  year  —  General  Macombe  laid 
before  me  a  plan  for  the  extension  of  that  city ;  and,  then,  it  first 
dawrsd  on  my  mind,  that  City-building  might,  and  should  be  re- 
ductv.  to  a  science,  of  incalculable  value  in  America,  where  thou- 
sands of  cities  are  yet  to  be  founded.  This  idea  has  been  cherished 
ever  since ;  and,  in  London,  Edinburgh,  New  York,  Cleveland,  and 
Kingston,  I  have  employed  spare  time  in  drawing  plans,  with  a  view, 
ultimately,  of  illustrating  the  science.  This  study  gave  rise  to  the 
present  proposal  of  building  a  Pagoda  on  the  Common ,  and,  other 
improvements  are  contemplatsd  for  Boston,  which  may  yet  be  spok- 
en of. 

At  Edinburgh,  in  1829,  I  published  Plans  for  the  improvement  of 
that  city,  with  a  proposal  to  institute  a  society  for  promoting  the 
"  science  of  City-building ; "  and  in  1831,  sent  one  of  my  Plans  to 
General  Macombe,  at  Washington,  to  prepare  the  way  for  coopera- 
tion, on  this  continent ;  but,  as  yet,  all  my  projects  have  been  marred 
by  untoward  circumstances,  and  endless  peraecution. 

I  now  flatter  myself  that,  in  this  "  Cradle  of  Liberty,"  my  sug- 
gestion may  be  acted  on,  and  Boston  become,  also.  The  Cradle  of 
the  arts  and  sciences.  —  A  society  for  advancing  "  the  science  of 
city  building,"  may  be  instituted 'y  any  dozen  individuals  of  taste 
and  liberality.  They  could  easily  set  a-going  a  Periodical,which  would 
pay,  and  secure  cooperation,  from  all  parts  of  the  Union.  In  all  parts, 
people  are  at  work  planning  buildings,  of  every  description, —  villages 
and  cities ;  and,  a  central  point,  either  to  draw  intelligence  from,  or 
to  send  intelligence  to,  —  hints,  essays,  plans,  &c.,  would  be  highly 
beneficial. 

I  could  furnish  materials  for  several  numbers  of  the  Periodical,  to 
begin  with ;  and,  once  begun,  materials  would  overflow.  The  so- 
ciety, indeed,  would  only  have  to  meet  an  hour  or  two,  once  a  week, 
or  once  a  month,  to  select,  and  cause  to  be  digested,  the  voluminous 
matter. 

At  present  I  can  only  throw  out  these  hints ;  but,  these  may  sufiice. 

R.  F.  G. 


Id 


No.  1.     Second  Series. 

To  HIS  Honor,  the  Mayor  of  Boston  :     (To  be  communicated 

to  the  Board  of  Aldermen.) 

Sir,  —  Your  brief  dismissal  of  my  small  offering  to  the  city,  lust 
summer,  was  such  as  any  stranger  presuming  to  advise,  might  expect, 
in  any  country.  But,  having  now  resided  here,  upwards  of  twelve 
months,  intrusion  may  be  more  warrantable. 

What  moves  me  now  to  trouble  you,  is,  seeing  a  new  street  in 
progress  near  Providence  Rail-Road  Depot  (that  looking  into  the 
Botanic  Garden,)  which  might,  I  think,  be  greatly  improved,  by  the 
introduction  of  sunk  areas,  in  front  of  buildings.  These  were  adopted 
in  the  capital  of  Scotland,  seventy  years  ago,  and,  at  first,  only  eight 
feet  wide.  Soon  after,  when  the  new  town  was  planned,  ten  feel 
was  thought  better ;  and,  twenty  years  ago,  when  the  second  new 
town  arose,  twelve  I'eet  was  not  deemed  too  much. 

There  is  a  sunk  area  in  front  of  the  Tremont  House,  and  othen: 
throughout  the  city;  but  all  are  too  narrow;  and  soil  is  in  New 
York.  Had  Tremont  House  been  set  back  twelve,  instead  of  six 
feet,  many  advantages  would  have  been  gained.  Not  only  would 
there  have  been  abundant  light  and  air  to  the  basement,  &c.,from  an 
area  of  twelve  feet,  but  the  appearance  of  the  whole  Avould  have  been 
improved,  particularly  the  portico  ;  which,  instead  of  being  a  daub, 
might  have  had  its  due  proportions, — with  elegance  and  comfort. 

In  business  streets,  sunk  areas  may  be  objected  to;  but,  in  others 
of  the  first  class,  they  should  never  be  dispensed  with.  They  admit 
of  entrance  to  the  first  floor,  either  on  the  level,  or  by  stops,  less  or 
more,  as  required,  without  breaking  the  general  uniformity ;  and,  also 
afford  easy  access  to  the  basement,  in  the  same  way. 

When  streets  are  lined  over  uneven  ground,  they  become  still 
more  advantageous,  admitting  of  several  stories  below  the  grading 
of  the  street, — and,  all  well  aired  and  lighted,  as  is  the  case  in  seve- 
ral parts  of  Edinburgh. 

Some  weeks  ago,  being  in  the  office  of  public  lands  and  streets,  a 
circular,  with  a  plan  by  Alexander  Wadsworth,  was  handed  lo  me; 
and,  I  then  left  with  the  clerk  some  written  hints  on  the  subject. 
Since  then,  having  repeatedly  viewed  the  progress  of  the  work,  I 
have  become  more  and  more  persuaded,  that  all  parties  would  be 
benefited,  by  a  due  consideration  of  the  whole  matter.  As  there  is 
only  one  house  yet  building,  it  is  not  too  late ;  and,  assuredly,  pur- 
chasers of  lots  could  well  afford  to  pay  for  additional  space,  to  admit 
of  areas  in  front,  —  with  liberty  to  build  coal-cellars,  under  the  pave- 
ment. The  street  in  question,  being  now  heightening  with  travelled 
earth,  also  invites  to  the  adoption  of  the  plan. 

I  am.  Sir,  yours,  respectfully, 

Marlboro'  Hotel,  May  17,  1844.  ROB'T  F.  GOURLAY. 


m 


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No.  2.  TO    THE    SAME. 

Sir, — Some  weeks  ago  I  indulged  myself  ia  the  pleasure  of  writ- 
2 


IG 


iiig  to  yon,  on  the  subject  of  sunk  areas,  and  my  letter  has  probably 
hcon  referred  to  the  Cornmittre  on  Streets.  This  being  on  a  kindred 
Hiibject,  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  honored  in  the  same  way,  after  being 
submitted  to  the  Board  of  Aldermen. 

Walking  from  the  Common  to  Wasliington  street,  two  objeots 
have  often  caught  my  eye,  as  soliciting  improvement; — the  first  so 
obvious,  that,  doubtless,  it  is  in  contemplation  to  oflect  it, — I  mean 
cutting  ofFa  corner  building  which  intercepts  the  direct  line  between 
Winter  and  Summer  streets.  The  other  not  so  obvious  ;  and  which, 
perhaps,  the  law  may  not  authorize, — setting  back  the  buildings  in 
Summer  street,  numbered  10,  M,  and  10,  some  ten  or  twelve  yards,  to 
admit  of  trees  being  ]ilanted  in  front;  and, by  which.  Trinity  Chnrch 
wnidd  be  fully,  and  finely  displayed. 

I  might  not  have  troubled  you  with  this,  had  not  the  case  boen 
one  of  many  throughout  the  city,  where  a  little  management  and 
compromise  with  individual  i)roprietors  may  be  made  to  contribute 
greatly  to  enjoyment.  Indeed,  strangers  cannot  help  being  struck 
with  certain  beauties,  peculiar  to  the  streets  of  Boston,  from  the 
introduction  of  trees;  and,  it  is  much  to  be  wished,  that  this  kind  of 
beauty  were  sufficiently  anpreciated  by  those  in  authority,  who  may 
make  the  most  of  it.         i  am,  respectfully  yours, 

June  7,  1844.  ROB'T  F.  GOLTRLAY. 


NOTE. 

Throwing  the.se  two  letter*  before  the  public,  I  would  press  attention  to 
both  subjects.  A  second  house  is  now  built,  in  the  street  alluded  to,  where 
sunk  areas  are  recommended  ;  and,  it  is  not  too  late  to  have  these  altered,  so  that 
all  may  be  benefited, — not  only  proprietors  of  buildings  and  lots,  but  the  public. 

As  to  the  other  subject,  I  would  also  solicit  notice ;  and,  shall  point  out 
another  instance  where,  setting  back  a  few  buildings,  and  introducing  trees, 
a  fine  effect  would  bo  produced : —  I  mean,  near  the  head  of  Franklm  street. 
There,  some  saabby  wooden  buildings,  making  part  of  Tattersal's  Stables, 
could  readily  be  set  back,  and  a  building  erected  in  the  same  line  with  those 
fronting  the  Crescent. —  Were  a  society  of  Amateurs  for  city-building  institu- 
ted, hundreds  of  such  instances  might  be  referred  to,  for  the  society's  judg- 
ment, influence,  and  direction.  Citizens  of  Boston,  so  exemplary  in  orderly 
moral  and  religious  habits,  would  do  well  to  consiJer,  that,  physical  order 
and  beauty  may  be  made  accessary  to  mental  refinement,  enjoyment,  and 
perfection.  We  are  here,  on  earth,  with  chaos  and  black  niirht,  to  order  and 
enlighten ;  and,  when  order  and  light  are  restored,  paradise  will  again  be  re- 
alized.—  Capital  is  essential;  and,  nothing  can  be  more  commendable  than 
efforts  to  secure  the  almighty  dollar,  provided,  that  is  ever  looked  to  as  a 
means,  not  an  end.  It  would,  indeed,  stimulate  the  merchants  of  Boston  to 
become  rich,  that  they  may  have  the  utmost  enjoyment  of  this  world,  by 
rightly  applying  their  wealth. 

Were  the  moral  world  right,  the  physical  would  speedily  be  righted ;  but, 
as  progress  to  perfection  is  gradual,  it  is  well  to  reflect  that  moral  and  physi- 
cal improvement  naturally  aid  each  other,  and  should  go,  hand  in  hand. 


17 


To  His  Excellency,  Gkohge  N.  Bnioos,  Governor  of  llio  Conirnnn- 
wculth  of  Massachusetts — Ilis  Honor,  John  Rkkd,  LieiiUnanl 
Governor — the  Hon.  Robert  F.  Daniei-s,  and  '1'iiomas  FuEiNcn 
Councillors. 

Gentlemen:  No.   1. 

Having,  on  a  former  occasion,  expressed  happiness  from  your 
acquaintance,  and  hope  that  Providence  mij^ht  order  it  for  Rood,  1 
now  submit,  to  your  jiidf^ment  and  tasto,  this  j)lan  for  enlarging  and 
improving  the  city  of  Uoston,  as  practical  commencement. 

The  capital  of  Massachusetts  and  i\e\v  England,  already  stands 
preeminent,  on  the  roll  of  time,  as  the  cradle  of  liberty;  but,  now 
that  steam-ship  navigation  and  railways  are  establi.shed,  it  bids  fair 
to  become  one  of  the  largest  cities  on  earth.  Boston  must  s{)ecdi!y 
be  the  grand  landing-place  from  Europe;  and,  with  railways  eradi- 
ating to  every  point  of  the  American  Continent,  calculations  may 
proceed  with  certainty  During  the  last  twenty  years,  Boston  has 
doubled  its  population ;  but,  now,  the  ratio  of  increase  must  be 
greater  far.  Fifty  years  hence  it  will  contain  500,000  souls;  and, 
within  a  century,  a  million  at  least.  The  Peninsula  is  already 
crowded ;  and,  here,  want  of  forethought  has  caused  confusion  past 
remedy  ;  but,  there  is  a  Held  beyond,  which  may  be  planned  ont,  and 
built  on,  with  every  advantage.  Seventy  years  ago,  the  capital  of 
Scotland  was  noted  for  discomfort.  The  necessities  of  a  warlike 
age  had  driven  the  people  within  narrow  bounds,  to  have  protec- 
tion from  rocks  and  ravines.  By-and-bye,  buildings  shot  up  to 
giddy  heights,  for  want  of  room ;  but,  at  last,  a  stupendous  bridge 
g-ave  access  to  a  plain,  whereon  a  new  town  grew  up,  on  a  regular 
plan,  unrivalled  for  beauty  and  convenience.  So  it  may  be  here, 
more  easily,  and  on  a  grander  scale. 

Gentlemen  : — A  single  glance,  below,  will  give  an  idea.  Imagine 
yourselves  at  the  top  of  the  State  House  surveying  the  finished 
work.  Behold  the  crescent  of  three  miles  in  length,  with  pleasure- 
grounds  in  front,  and  these  embracing  the  outspread  waters  of 
Charles  Hiver.  See  the  city  around,  and  that  embosomed  in  an 
arni>hitheaire  of  surpassing  beauty, — "  with  hills,  and  dales,  and 
woods,  and  glittering  spires."  Next,  turn  sea-ward,  and  refresh  the 
eyo  among  the  green  islands  of  the  harbor,  with  old  ocean  bearing 
towards  it  ships  from  every  clime.  Then,  estimate  the  glory  of 
Boston  1 1 

Gentlemen  : — Nothing  more  is  wanted  to  realize  all  this,  but  your 
sound  sense,  your  patriotism,  your  religion : — yes,  the  God  whom 
you  worship  is  a  God  of  harmony,  and  beauty,  and  order.  He  will 
smile  on  such  an  undertaking ;  for,  it  is  obeying  his  law  and  for- 
warding his  design. 

Gentlemen  : — Should  I  obtain  your  approbation,  I  shall  hand  you 
a  copy  of  this  plan,  to  be  laid  before  the  city  authorities ;  and,  at 
all  times,  shall  be  happy  to  explain.  The  city  authorities  can  read- 
ily consult  the  people.     Other  plans  may  be  advertised  for,  and  the 


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18 


best  adopted ;  so,  that,  by  next  session  of  the  Legislature,  your  final 
sanction  may  be  obtained. 

Permit  mo,  now,  to  repeat  ackno\vled<?mcnt  of  respect  and  esteem. 
Your  obedient  and  very  liumble  servant, 

Marlboro'  Hotel,  )  ROB'T.  F.  GO  URL  AY. 

Buston,  May  9,  1844.  J 

No.  2.  To   THE    SAME. 

Gentlemen  : 
It  is  more  tlian  possible  that  a  first  sight  of  my  (ieneral  Plan,  for 
improving  and  enlarging  Boston,  may  generate  ideas,  in  many,  that 
it  is  fanciful  and  extravagant. 

Allow  me  to  provide  a  j)lea  against  such  impressions ; — and,  first, 
let  it  be  known  that,  for  many  years,  I  have  studied  City  building 
with  a  view  of  reducing  it  to  a  science  —  especially  important  in 
America,  where  thousands  of  cities  are  yet  to  be  founded.  I  have 
done  this.with  every  opportunity.these  last  twenty  years, — in  London, 
Edinburgh,  New  York,    Cleveland  Ohio,  and  Kingston  Canada. 

In  the  years  1620  and  1631,  I  published  plans  for  improvement  of 
Edinburgh,  which  you  may  see  any  day  ;  and,  along  with  this  letter, 
I  submit  a  printed  testimonial  from  an  eminent  civil  Engineer, 
wherein  these  plans   are  favorably  spoken  of. 

My  plans  for  Boston  have  had  my  attention  these  last  twelve 
months ;  and  nothing  perhaps  but  the  leisure  I  am  here  subjected  to, 
and  the  extraordinary  calamity  of  being  without  sleep,  could  have 
led  to  plans  so  extensive  ;  and,  which  I  flatter  myself,  are  perfect. 
A  vivid  imagination  enables  me  to  bring,  to  my  mind's  eye,  objects 
for  study ;  and  these  can  be  arranged,  and  rearranged  at  pleasure,  as 
readily  as  though  material  substances  were  present,  to  be  seen  and 
handled :  —  Thus,  are  watches  of  the  night  often  beguiled. 

There  are,  on  the  face  of  my  general  plan,  many  things  requiring 
special  plans,  sections,  and  elevations,  for  a  right  understanding  of 
them ;  and,  if  required,  all  shall  be  cheerfully  furnished,  with  ex- 
planations on  every  point. 

The  sub-urban  railways  may  be  formed,  at  any  time  —  now,  or 
after,  as  they  interfere  little  with  property.  I  first  suggested  such 
in  London,  and  afterwards  in  Edinburgh,  where  one  is  now  execu- 
ted; —  as  also  at  Liverpool.  Many  reasons  concrr  to  make  such 
desirable  in  Boston. 

The  formation  of  Washington  Square,  and  Washington  Circus, 
would  require  power  for  purchasing  and  removing  buildings ;  but 
that  might  be  gradually  acted  on.  So,  with  opening  a  new  street 
between  Summer  street  and  Federal  street,  —  much  wanted. 

The  grand  improvement,  —  a  New  Town,  should,  with  least  pos- 
sible delay  be  taken  into  consideration,  before  streets  are  laid  out, 
and  buildings  erected,  to  the  increase  of  difficulties  and  expense. 

The  measures  adopted  for  the  enlargement  of  New  York  are  in 
point.  All  Manhattan  Island,  (so  far  as  Haerlem,)  has  been  laid  out, 
in  avenues  and  streets.  Faithfully  yours. 

May  10.  1844.  ROB.  F.  GOURLAY. 


T 


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t, 


19 

No.  3, 

To    THE    SAMK. 

Gentlemen : 

Tlio  five  weeks  elapsed,  since  the  dateof  my  second  coinmiinicn- 
tion,  Imve  afforded  o|)|)ortMnities  of  lienrinp;  muny  remarks  on  my 
General  Plan  for  (enlarging  und  improving  the  city  of  JJoston. 

All  agree,  that,  if  executed,  it  would  ho  splendid  beyond  anything 
of  the  kind ;  but,  some  doubt  the  possibility  of  execution,  while  others* 
startle  at  expenses.  I  think,  us  formerly,  that  it  wants  only  your  vir- 
tuous endeavors  to  execute  ;  and,  as  i.  is  for  the  benefit  of  the  State, 
I  apprehend  it  is  your  si)ecial  duty,  if  there  seems  sufKcieni  causi*. 

There  are,  I  find,  two  Counties  in  which  the  property  lies — Mid- 
dlesex and  Norfolk.  The  City  authorities  are,  I  understand,  funcliou- 
nries  for  the  first,  and  certain  commissioners  for  the  other.  You  well 
know,  certainly,  as  to  all  such  matters,  and  can  proceed  accordingly.* 

I  calculate,  that  there  are  at  least  2,000  acres  of  surface  now  wholly 
worthless,  from  the  overflow  of  water,  which,  by  the  proposed  im- 
provement, would  be  raised  to  immense  value.  This  surface  is  tin*, 
very  best  lor  building  on,  by  its  location  and  otherwise  ;  and  being 
built  on,  would  become  not  only  healthy,  but  would  impart  health  to 
all  around. 

I  conceive,  that  as  no  individual  proprietor  can  do  aught  of  himself 
to  increase  the  value  of  this  surface,  and  as  that  value  can  only  grow 
out  of  legislation,  it  will  be  quite  fair  to  proceed  to  legislate,  and  do 
everything  requisite,  without  hindrance  from  any  one. 

I  find,  that  there  is  a  corporate  body — the  Mill  Dam  corpora- 
tion, whose  property  and  rights  would  be  first  interfered  with. 

That  corporation  could  not,  I  conceive,  of  itself,  do  the  needful, 
and  hence  it  may  be  expected  to  cooperate,  cheerfully  and  liberally,  — 
first  and  last. 

All  parties  being  concurrent,  T  can  see  no  difficulty  whatever  in 
proceeding;  and,  lean  see  clearly,  that, so  far  from  expense  being  in- 
curred, profit  would  instantly  ensue  ; — first,  from  confidence,  and  then 
from  completion. 

The  New  Town  of  Edinburgh  was  planned  out  70  years  ago ; 
and  was  com})leted  in  30  years.  Then,  a  second  New  Town  was 
set  about, — now  also  completed.  It  may  be  20  or  30  years  since  Man- 
hattan Island  was  laid  out  for  building,  on  a  regular  plan,  undei  an 
act  of  the  Legislature.  It  has  progressed  steadily,  and  has  been  a 
mine  of  wealth,  as  this  in  question,  may  be,  more  certainly. 

In  my  last  communication,  it  was  stated,  that  certain  of  the  im- 
provements indicated — the  Sub-urban  Rail-ways  fee,  may  ])roceed,  or 
not,  just  as  circumstances  make  advisable  ;  so,  the  New  Tuwn,  or  city 
may  advance,  by  parts.  That,  south  of  the  Mill  Dan,  may  be  set 
about  and  completed;  next,  that  between  the  Mill  Dam  and  Cam- 
bridge, East  Cambridge,  and  so,  onward,  to  Charlestown,  &c.  &c. 

*  My  improvements  cover  part  of  three  counties,  —  Middlesex,    Norfolk 
and  Sullolk.     The  City  authorities  being  functionaries  only  in  the  last. 
2* 


u 


ft. 


V.  f 


20 

The  important  point,  at  this  time,  in  to  procure  and  adopt  tlie  best 
possible  plan — mine,  or  a  better,  for  acting  on,  under  the  Legisla- 
ture, as  before  said. 

I  am  ready,  at  any  moment,  to  explain  further ;  but  deem  it  best, 
thus,  to  draw  on  ycur  patience,  by  little  ^nd  little. 

A  copy  of  my  Plan  accompanies  th-.    on  which  you  will  perceive 
some  variations  from  i  le  first,  and  many  more  may  be  suggested. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be.  Gentlemen, 
Very  faithfully  yours, 

ROBERT  F.  GOURLAY. 
Marlboro'  Hotel,  June  12,  1844. 

No.  4. 

To  TIIi;  SAME. 

Marlboro'  Hotel,  July  4,  1844. 
Gentlemen : 

It  was  my  intention  to  have  solicited  a  personal  hearing  before 
the  Council,  yer'erday,  on  the  subject  of  my  Plan  for  enlarging  and 
improving  the  City  of  Boston  ;  but  grievous  afTiiction  has  unmanned 
me,  —  accounts  of  the  death  of  my  only  son  —  a  merchant  —  32 
years  of  age,  in  Australia. 

Lest  I  should  not  again  see  you,  allow  me  to  say,  that  I  should  be 
happy  to  explain  on  every  point  of  the  business  alluded  to.  In  my 
three  letters,  I  was  purposely  brief,  that  you  might  not  be  annoyed 
with  what  was  out  of  the  routine  of  your  ordinary  business ;  and,  by 
one  so  little  entitled  to  use  liberties  as  myself  If,  either  in  your  in- 
dividual or  corporate  capacity,  you  get  a  Committee  to  inspect  the 
Plan,  let  it  be  known,  that,  I  shall  be  ever  ready  for  examination,  by 
the  same.  Most  respectfully.  Yours, 

Rob.  F.  GouniiAY. 

No.  5. 

Mr.  Gourlay  presents  hi?  most  respectful  complimcnxs  to  the 
Governor  and  Council. — As  he  handed  in,  at  the  State  House,  some- 
time ago,  a  second  copy  of  his  Plan  for  en'iirging  and  im[)roving 
Boston,  he  deems  it  right,  now,  to  furnish  duplicates  of  letters  on  the 
subject,  lest  the  Plan  should  be  suLrnitted  to  the  city  authorities,  as 
accompaniments. 

Marlboro'  Hotel,  July  10,  1844. 


! 


NOTE. 
After  laying  my  Plan  before  the  Governor  and  Council.  I  forbore  to  publish 
it,  with  the  above  letters,  till  his  Excellency  was  spoken  to,  and  acquiesced. 
Indeed,  as  nothing  can  be  carried  into  execution  till  a  meeting  of  the  Legis- 
lature, it  was  thought  that  the  public  at  large  ought  to  be  made  acquainted 
with  the  subject ;  so  as  to  sustain  Represent.\tive8,  should  discussion  come 

OD. 


21 


i 
' 


To  the  Legislators  of  Massachusetts. 

Boston,  Aug.  26,  1844. 

Gentlemen  :  You  exist  for  a  year  :  I  may  not  be  alive  to-morrow. 
It  therefore  behoves  me  to  do,  to-day,  whatever  is  most  urgent ;  and, 
so  far  as  you  are  concerned,  nothing  can  compare  with  the  execution 
of  my  plans  for  the  improvement  of  this  city.  You  alone  can  eflbct 
this,  and  doubtless  will,  so  soon  as  you  are  fully  informed  on  the 
subject. — I,  therefore,  earnestly  solicit  your  gravest  attention. 

Addressing  Ilis  Honor,  the  Mayor  of  Boston,  and  His  Excellency, 
the  Governor  of  the  State,  it  was  becoming  to  ?void  prolixity : — 
Now,  I  may  be  more  particular,  and  proceed  with  details.  The 
wood  cuts,  since  procured,  will,  I  trust,  make  all  easily  understood. 

My  first  object  was  the  comfort  of  the  ladies.  Being  now  well 
informed  of  the  Mayor's  accomplishments  and  superior  taste, — a 
scholar,  well  read,  and  travelled, — versea  a  all  that  is  elegant  and 
refined ; — him,  from  whose  suggestion  Mount  Auburn  rose  into  ex- 
istence ; — to  him,  we  may  safely  consign  the  Common.  He  will, 
assuredly,  in  good  time,  see  it  carpeted,  as  with  velvet  of  brightest 
green, —  maugre  the  Committee;  and,  should  the  ladies  express  a 
wish  for  the  Pagoda  and  Flower  Garden,  these  will  instantly  be 
provided.  His  Honor  may  do  all  this  ;  but  you  only  can,  with  God's 
help  and  legislation,  call  into  being  the  Grand  Crescent  and  the 
Boulevards,  Circus-Island,  the  Distributing  and  Sub-urban  Rail- 
ways, &c.  &c. 

Reviewing  my  letters  to  the  Governor  and  Council,  I  find,  it  will 
be  best,  now  to  use  them  as  texts,  and  discuss  the  various  subjects 
under  distinct  heads  : — thus. 


MAGNITUDE,  GRANDEUR,  AND  BEAUTY  OF  BOSTON. 

I  have  said  that  Boston,  fifty  years  hence,  "  will  contain  Jive  hun- 
dred thousand  souls  ;  and,  within  a  century,  a  million  at  least."  It  is 
important  that  these  assertions  should  be  received  with  confidence ; 
and,  1  sliall  endeavor  to  show  that  there  is  nothing,  on  earth,  more 
certain. 

It  was  not  till  after  I  had  resided,  here,  many  months,  that  I  arrived 
at  the  conclusioji.  Before  then,  I  was  little  acquainted  with  Boston, 
and  its  capabilities.  I  had  put  it  down,  as  a  settled  point,  that  New 
York  was  destined  to  go  ahead  of  all  the  world  ; — now,  I  am  inclined 
to  thinl,  that  Boston,  not  New  York,  will  become  the  Queen  of 
cities. 

First;  let  us  look  to  security  in  war-time.  Fortify  New  York  to 
the  utmost ; — render  it  impossible  for  ships  to  pass  the  Narrow.s,  or, 
into  the  East  River, — still,  an  army  may  be  landed  on  Long  Island 
or  New  Jersey,  and  march  within  point  blank  i ''  New  York,  so  as  to 
.'ny  it  in  ashes.  Not  so  Boston.  Secure  the  harbor,  which  can 
eaSily  be  done ;  and  tho  surrounding ccantry,  —  with  its  granite  hills, 
its  ravines,  and  its  bogs,  will  protect  from  bombardment. 

Second; — look  to  advantages  for  ooramerce.     New  York  has  the 


,1   ■ 


22 


North  River,  with  canals,  pouring  into  that,  from  all  the  great  lakes ; 
but  Boston  has  better  than.  all.  Describe  a  circle,  round  it,  of  one 
hundred  miles,  and  you  have,  within  that  circle,  i)hysical  and  moral 
power  boyonc'  what  can  be  found  in  any  like  space  on  the  globe. 
You  have  innumerable  streams, — all  affording  water-power,  down  to 
the  sea-shore  ;  and,  ynu  have  the  inteUigence,  steady  habits,  sound 
morals,  enterprise,  auii  efficiency  of  New  England.  Even  the  bar- 
renness of  the  soil  will  stimulate  all  these  good  qualities,  and  excite 
them  to  the  most  profitable  action; — witness  the  winter  harvest, 
and  exportation  of  ice.  On  the  east  and  south,  New  York  has  the 
arid  plains  of  Long  Island  and  New  Jersey: — the  first,  without 
water-power :  the  second,  with  sluggish  streams  begetting  only 
languor  and  inaction.  On  the  west,  it  is  hemmed  in  by  the 
Catskill  Mountains;  and,  on  the  north,  by  the  rocky  ridge  which 
embraces  this  more  favored  section  of  the  Union. 

At  Boston,  ship  navigation  terminates;  and,  while  there  is  no  rival 
in  trade,  north  and  south,  over  200  miles,  the  whole  of  New  England 
must  glory  in  its  grand  centre. 

Southward,  Philadelphia  cuts  off  the  commerce  of  New  York  ;  and, 
with  spirit,  Albany  and  Troy  may  take  from  it  much,  as  Glasgow 
has,  lately,  taken  all  from  Greenock. 

The  Great  Lakes  are  not  dependent  on  New  York.  Twenty-five 
yea's  ago,  I  showed  how  ships  from  the  Ocean  might  navigate  these  ; 
but,  the  ignorant  people  of  Canada  and  its  vile  local  government, 
would  neither  do,  nor  let  do.  Now,  however,  John  Bull  is  putting  forth 
his  feelers  ;  and,  with  common  sense,  the  St.  Lawrence  may  be  made 
the  grand  outlet  of  its  parent  lakes ;  while  the  Mississippi,  in  like 
manner,  is  the  natural  duct  for  the  produce  of  its  valley.  In  short, 
when  mind  contends  with  mind,  Boston  will  be  found  superior  to 
New  York,  and  go  ahead  of  her.  But,  to  the  superiority  of  Boston, 
in  all  that  has  been  enumerated,  when  we  add  that  which  is  to  result 
from  her  becoming  the  grand  landing-place  from  Europe,  all  com- 
parison will  cease  ;  and,  within  ten  years,  this  will  be  the  case. 

I  am  told  that  Portland  harbor  is  better  than  that  of  Bosto  and 
more  free  of  ice : — also,  that  it  is  nearer  to  Lake  Ontario  and  Mon- 
treal, by  11  miles,  and,  much  nearer  to  Quebec  ;  so  that,  there  was 
once  an  idoa  of  conveying  the  British  mails  by  way  of  Portland. 
Other  advantages,  in  favor  of  Boston,  however,  leave  no  doubt  of 
its  being  the  jireferable  place  for  landing.  It  is  only  once  in  many 
years  that  its  harbor  is  frozen  up  ;  and,  when  required,  it  will  not  be 
difficult  to  erect  a  pier,  beyond  all  freezing,  to  be  resorted  to  on 
extraordinary  occasions.  In  other  respects,  the  superiority  of  Boston, 
as  a  landing-place,  is  decided  ;  and,  it  is  highly  important  for  you, 
gentlemen,  fully  to  appreciate  this.  It  is  what  no  time  can  alter; 
and,  on  its  cpu..tinty,  you  nay  proceed  with  plans  which  will  give 
perfect  confidenje  in  establishing  lines  of  communication,  both  by 
%vater  and  land. 

Arrived  at  Boston,  from  Europe,  the  traveller  can  be  as  soon  :;t 
New  York  and  all  beyond,  to  the  south,  as  if  he  had  sailed,  direct, 


23 

for  that  port ;  while  he  can  be  much  sooner  at  Albany,  Ogdensburgh, 
Montreal,  Quebec,  and  all  to  the  west,  north,  and  east. 

The  British  and  American  Governments  have  now  agreed,  that 
the  Royal  Mail  Steamers  shall  sail,  direct,  between  Liverpool  and 
Boston  Already,  the  passage  can  be  made  via.  Halifax,  in  twelve 
days;  but,  set  aside  the  time  wasted  by  going  and  landing  there, — 
delays,  and  dangers  from  fogs,  ice,  and  greater  distance,  we  may 
fairly  conclude,  that  an  average  passage  may  be  made  in  ten  days  : — 
then,  enlarge,  and  improve  the  construction  of  steamers :  fit  them 
up  in  the  best  way  for  many,  with  comfort  without  extravagance  : 
carry  500  or  1,000  instead  of  lOG: — then,  respectable  Farmers  and 
Mechanics  may  be  comfortably  accommodated,  across  the  Atlantic, 
for  30  dollars ;  nay,  with  competition,  for  less. 

When  this  is  the  case,  every  spirited  young  man  in  Europe  and 
America,  will  be  inspired  with  the  laudable  ambition  of  seeing  the 
world  aright,  before  he  settles  himself  down  for  life.  He  will 
save  up  a  hundred  dollars  ;  and,  with  that,  be  able  to  cross  and  recross 
the  Atlantic,  so  as  to  become  personally  acquainted  with  the  most 
noted  objects,  on  both  sides  of  it.  Let  but  ten  years  of  such  visiting 
go  on,  and  say  if  it  would  be  possible,  with  the  amount  of  intelligence 
and  good  feeling  gained,  for  the  veriest  fool  or  greatest  blackguard  to 
embroil  the  nations  in  war, — King  or  Commoner, — Priest,  or  Presi- 
dent.— But,  not  to  forget  our  present  business,  think  what  Boston 
would  be  then  I — One  steamer,  at  least,  with  500  respectable  pas- 
sengers, would  be  daily  arriving,  and  departing.  This  is  by  no 
means  more  than  what  may  be  within  ten  years ;  and,  when  the 
whole  po})ulation  of  Europe  is  roused  up,  and  America  thickly  set- 
tled, it  will  be  looked  back  to,  as  a  bagatelle. 

Finally,  I  would  have  you  look  proudly  to  Boston  as  the  focus 
of  intelligence  for  America.  Here,  literature  and  science,  the  arts, 
and  refinement  of  every  kind,  will  be  on  tiptoe,  to  give  and  receive. 
Here,  merchants  will  be  most  awake  to  turns  of  the  market :  here 
bankers,  and  brokers,  and  insurance  companies  will  have  their  chief- 
est  seat:  here,  the  newsmonger  and  the  politician  will  be  widest 
awake  :  here,  fashion  will  proclaim  her  mandates,  to  this  continent ; 
and,  here,  the  gospel  will  have  freest  course,  to  be  gl-^-'^^d. 

Gentlemen  I — to  me,  this  is  a  glorious  subject;  for  it  resilizes  my 
fondest  hopes.  Forty-three  years  ago,  my  life  was  devoted  to  bet- 
tering the  condition  of  the  English  poor.  Hitherto,  I  have  wholly 
failed,  for  the  very  magnitude  of  my  projects  excited  jealousies,  and 
stirred  up  opposition.  As  yet,  I  have  had  no  aid  from  the  rich ;  nor 
can  I  command  the  cooperation  of  the  poor;  for,  "the  destruction 
of  the  poor  is  their  poverty."  —  But,  give  us  Steam-ships  and  Rail- 
roads in  abundance  :  let  all  be  educated  and  have  fair  opportunity  : 
let  wild  lands  be  rightly  laid  out,  and  honestly  disposed  of; — then, 
poor-laws  and  poor-rates  may  everywhere  be  dispensed  with  :  pau- 
perism will  cease  ;  and,  the  kindly  aflections  do  all  that  may  be  re- 
quired for  casualties. 

I  never  was  an  advocate  for  the  emigration  of  the  ignorant  and 
ragged.     Twenty-seven  years  ago,  I  said,  "  Canada  is   worthy  of 


Si. 


■fi 


w  \ 


24 

soinothinj^f  better  than  a  mere  guidance  to  it,  of  the  blind  and  the 
lame  :  it  has  attractions  to  stimulate  desire,  and  place  its  coloniza- 
tion above  the  aids  of  necessity."  If  this  was  true  of  Canada,  what 
should  we  say  of  the  United  States, — possessing  every  variety  of 
climate,  with  the  greatest  extent  of  fertile  soil  on  the  face  of  the 
earth, — with  rivers  surpassing  all  others,  for  the  purposes  of  com- 
merce ;  and,  with  a  population  drawing  intelligence  from  every  na- 
tion under  heaven  ? 

Individuals  and  nations  have,  hitherto,  considered  emigration 
merely  as  a  result  of  necessity.  I  have  ever  pointed  to  it,  aa  an  ob- 
ject of  ambition  ;  and,  when  mankind  are  rightly  moved  by  this 
principle, — then,  we  shall  see  the  first  great  law  acted  on,  with  the 
best  consequences.  They  will  be  "  fruitful,  and  multiply,  and  re- 
plenish the  earth:" — then,  mankind  will  recover  their  pristine 
strength  : — then  we  shall  have  nobles  of  nature;  and  the  millenium 
will  be  insured  ; — perhaps,  endless  rnilleniums. 

Gentlemen : — emigration  and  immigration  have  been  so  neglected 
and  misunderstood,  that  both  are  decried.  Europeans  deplore  and 
retard  the  former ;  while  Native  Americans  are  banding  together 
against  the  latter  I  Oh,  miserable  folly  and  infatuation  I — Oh,  that  all 
were  enlightened, —  that  all  may  see,  how  all  may  be  benefited,  and 
contribute  to  each  other's  happiness. 

I  have  effected  nothing ;  but  Time,  the  greatest  Reformer,  will 
solve  the  problem,  and  harmonise  every  jarring  element.  Steam- 
ship navigation  will  speedily  bring  nations  together ;  and  railroads 
will  entwine  the  branches  of  the  human  family,  in  indissoluble 
union.  Prepare,  then,  for  the  grand  interchange  of  civilities.  Let 
the  landiiig-place  from  Europe  give  kindly  welcome  to  strangers; 
and,  let  their  first  impressions,  in  Boston,  be  those  of  delight  and 
admiration. 

THE     GRAND    CRESCENT,    AND    BOULEVARDS. 

"Imagine  yourselves  at  the  top  of  the  State- House,  surveying  the 
finished  work!' — Ay,  indeed,  imagine  you  have,  along  with  you,  a 
dozen  Einopeans  just  landed,  and  participate  in  their  gladness, — 
gladdened  with  a  sight  which  Europe  I'an  never  equal : — Yes,  the 
singulaily  happy  situation  of  Bostop  will  make  it  so,  if  you  bestir 
yourselves ;  and,  you  need  only  pass  an  Act  to  create  the  CJrand 
Crescent  and  the  Boulevards.  No  other  city  on  earth  has  such 
opportunity, — such  materials  to  work  with, — such  a  field  toimi)rove, 
— such  a  subject  for  profitable  speculation,  and  certain  gain.  No 
other  city,  on  earth,  can  ever  exhibit  any  thing  so  elegant — so  grand 
— so  perfectly  in  unison  with  all  its  purposes,  as  this,  the  capital  of 
Massachusetts  and  New  England. 


CIRCUS    ISLAND. 


When  you  have  sufficiently  eyed  the   Grand  Crescent,  fix  atten- 
tion on  Circus  Island  ;  and,  you  will  say,  that  city  scenery  is  worthy 


25 


i 


of  study.  Circus  Island  will  command  repose:  it  will  give  relief  to 
the  cuniptured  fancy:  it  will,  v/illi  its  towering  —  tufted  volume, 
add  dignity  to  the  scene  :  it  will  extend  the  range  of  inquiry  and 
reflection ;  and,  it  will  give  infaiite  satisfaction,  when  all  its 
admirable  adaptations  are  comprehended. 

In  the  fulness  of  time.  Circus  Island  will  become  the  grand  centre 
of  Boston  ;  and,  when  railroads  have  ramified  into  every  township 
of  the  Union,  all  its  building  will  not  over  suffice  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  country  visiters.  Here,  they  will  step  out  of  the  trains,  into 
comfortable  lodgings;  or,  if  they  rather  choose,  be  conveyed  by  the 
distributing  and  submban  cars,  in  live  mitmtes,  to  any  quarter  of  the 
city  without  the  slightest  disturbance,  even  of  the  ladies'  furbelows. 


} 


I 


DISTUIBUTING,    AND    SUB-URBAN    RAILWAYS. 

The  Sul)-nrban  rail-ways  have  been  laughed  at,  as  irnpracticable, 
useless,  and  absurd;  but,  I  do  not  back  out  of  my  proposal.  To  the 
Governor,  I  said,  these  "  may  he  formed  at,  any  time, — now,  or  after, 
as  they  interfere  little  uith  property," — and,  in  fact,  they  never  will 
interfere  with  property.  It  will  be  the  same,  as  to  this,  a  hundred 
years  hence,  as  now.  Within  a  hundred  years,  they  will  be  abso- 
lutely required:  not  only  because  of  the  immense  growth  of  the 
city ;  but,  from  its  peculiar  position  and  structure.  The  present 
city  of  Boston,  confined  to  the  peninsula,  will  ever  be  the  grand 
centre  of  the  surrounding  parts.  The  shipping  will  be  mostly 
ranged  aroimd  it ;  and,  all  trade  will  converge  thither.  j\ot  so  any 
other  city  that  I  am  acquainted  with, — London,  Liverpool,  or  New 
York.  They  have  rivers,  along  which,  to  any  extent,  wharves  may 
be  constructed  ;  and,  to  which  roads  may  proceed,  directly,  from 
the  country.  Now  York  and  Philadelphia  have  two  rivers  ;  and, 
so,  the  congregating  of  traders  lias  wider  scope;  but,  Boston, 
which  a  hundred  years  hence  will  have  more  trade  tluin  any  of 
them,  is  hemmed  in  round  about  by  its  harbor;  while  the  interior  is 
occupied  by  a  hill,  whose  altitude  presents  obstruction  to  easy 
passage.  Sub-urban  rail-roads  will  do  away  with  every  inconve- 
nience resulting  from  all  this.  They  will  lessen  the  throng  and 
collision  in  streets  :  they  will  aflLrd  the  speediest  conveyance  from 
distant  points,  and  economise  the  time  of  business  men.  This,  to 
citizens  of  Boston,  may  seem  of  small  consequence  ;  for,  they  may 
say,  that  a  little  walking  is  good  for  healih,  and  relief  from  their 
desks  agreeable  Not  so  with  the  country  merchants,  who  have 
but  a  day  or  two  to  spend  here, — who  arc  anxious  to  do  the  most 
business,  in  least  time,  and  with  greatest  comfor'  : — to  them,  the 
Sub-urban  rail- ways  will  be  invaluable.  They  will  be  able,  by 
these,  to  visit  the  wholesale  stores,  in  every  quarter,  speedily  ;  and 
thus  get  off  to  their  homes  without  waste  of  time  and  with  utmost 
satisfaction. 

The  enterprise  of  New  Englanders  saw  that  a  rail-road  to  Alhnny 
would  be  of  vast  con.sequence   to  Boston  ;  and,  doubting  nothing 


26 


under  the  auspices  of  God,  llioy  explored  the  mountainous  region 
thro'  which  it  had  to  pass.  They  found  the  thing  possihlc,  and  set 
about  it.     Behold,  now,  the  result ! 

What  said  a  conceited  countryman  of  mine,  wlio  travelled  over 
the  United  States  and  Canada,  1827,  and  18:i8?— VVhtil  said  Capt. 
Basil  Hall,  who  had  successfully  published  voyajres  and  travels  to 
Japan,  (Loo  Choo)  and  Peru?  —  What  did  lie  register  to  make  him- 
self laughed  at,  in  all  coming  time  ?  Let  an  extract  from  his  second 
volume,  on  America,  page  93,  answer. 

"  We  traversed  a  considerable  poitioii  of  the  route,  over  which  it  has  been 
serioiLsly  proposed,  I  was  assured,  to  carry  a  rail-roatl  between  the  cities  ot 
Boston  and  Albany.  No  sinjle  State,  still  less  any  section  of  the  Union,  it 
seems,  likes  to  be  outdone  by  any  other  Slate,  and  this  feeling  of  rivalry 
slimuhited  by  the  success  of  the  great  Erie  Canal  —  an  undertakinfr^  hifjlily 
favored  by  nature  —  has,  I  suppose,  sugijested  the  visionary  project  in 
question.  In  answer  to  the  appeals  frequently  made  to  my  admn-ation  of  thi- 
scheme,  I  was  compelled  to  admit,  that  there  was  much  boldness  in  the  con- 
ception ;  but,  I  took  the  liberty  of  adding,  that  1  conceiveil  the  boldness  lav 


in  the  conception  alone 
chani'ed  into  madness  !  " 


for,  if  it  were  executed,  its  character  would  b 


Captain  Hall  was  not  the  first  wiseacre  from  the  Land  o'  cakes 
who  underrated  Jonathan's  powers.  Mellish,  who  settled  in  the 
United  States  nearly  twenty  years  before  the  Captain's  visit, — who 
travelled  extensively,  and  was  the  first  to  collect  and  publish  statis- 
tics of  the  several  States,  made  still  a  greater  fool  of  himself,  by 
hasty  expressions.  He  published  his  travels  before  the  war,  and 
another  edition,  1815,  to  which  he  added  a  note  ridiculing  the  pro- 
ject of  connecting  Lake  Eric  with  the  Sea,  by  means  of  a  canal. 
He  said  that  the  Forth  and  Clyde  canal,  in  Scotland,  only  about 
forty  miles  in  length,  had  required  so  much  time  and  so  much  money, 
to  finish  it ;  and,  therefore,  a  canal  :]o()  miles  in  Amevicn,  was  out  of 
the  question  : — in  fact,  he  jeered  at  tlie  "great  mon,"  who  was  tlieu 
striving  to  accomplish  this, —  I)c  Witt  Clinton,  —  him,  who  im- 
mortalized himself  by  its  execution  In  the  same  way,  Fulton  was 
laughed  at,  and  hooted  by  tlie  rabble  of  New  York,  when  ho  laiinrhed 
his  first  sleani-beat  on  the  North  River. 

I  sec  no  difficulty,  whatever,  in  executing  my  i)roposal  of  sub- 
urban rail-ways  ;  yet,  this  '  as  beeir  scouted  by  many,  on  the  first 
glance,  us  a  chimera, — visionary,  and  erratic. 

It  was  thought  of  by  me,  after  long  consideration  how  the  nfise- 
rics  resulting  from  the  confusion  of  Boston  could  be  obviated  ;  and, 
I  had  foiicbided,  as  to  its  practicability,  before  seeing  the  favorable 
report  regarding  atmospheric  pressure,  as  a  substitute  for  locomotive 
engines.  Should  this  be  realized,  then,  in  no  case  could  it  be  ap- 
plied, so  economically,  as  in  Boston.  A  stationary  engine  near  the 
State  House  might  do  the  whole  business,  within  three  miles; — 
convey  people,  not  only  to  every  quarter  of  the  city,  in  five  minutes; 
but,  iVoiii  lloxbury  to  Cambridge,  or  the  contrary,  without  the  slight- 
est  fatigue  or  danger. 

Already  Washington  street  is  ciovvdcd  to  excess  ;  and,  every  day, 


''y. 


^ 


i  1 


27 

we  witness  inconvenience  from  the  noise  and  collision  of  caniages. 
What  would  it  be  were  there  a  million  of  residents,  and  tens  of 
thousands  of  visiters  ? — Then,  such  vents,  as  I  suggest,  would  be 
absolutely  required  and  fully  appreciated.  At  present,  I  only  beg  of 
you  to  inquire,  and  report.* 

WASHINGTON    SQUARE. 

It  has  been  proposed  to  erect  a  statue  of  the  man  who  was  first  in 
war  and  first  in  peace,  where  the  Old  State  House  now  stands ; 
but,  this  will  be  abandoned  as  soon  as  iny  wood-cut  appears.  No 
place  for  such  a  statue  is  equal  to  what  I  have  indicated.  There, 
looking  to  the  cradle  of  liberty,  and  protected  behind  by  the  church 
wliich  warded  off  the  cannon  shot  from  the  sacred  spot,  would  the 
hero  be  exhibited  most  appropriately. 

Faneuil  Hall  has  not  length  sufficient  for  its  width  ;  and,  I  have 
marked  off  30  or  40  feet,  for  addition.  Nothing  is  more  wanted  than 
a  proper  exit  from  Washington  street  to  the  north ;  and,  that  will  be 
happily  obtained  by  connecting  it,  in  a  direct  line,  with  Portland 
.otreet,  which  can  easily  be  effected. 

Washington  Square  is  wanted  as  a  grand  rallying  place  for  the 
life  and  soul  of  Boston  on  festive  occasions.  It  would  do  much  to 
redeem  the  city  from  confusion ;  and,  it  would  give  to  it  dignity 
character,  and  consequence. 

.w  WASHINGTON    CEESCENT. 

This,  too,  will  be  acknowledged  as  a  necessary  and  fine  improve- 
ment. When  first  spoken  of,  a  friend  was  so  struck  with  advan- 
tages to  be  gained,  that  he  suggested  to  me  getting  together  some 

*  After  the  above  was  in  type,  I  conversed  whh  a  gentleman,  at  Nahant, 
— a  native  of  Boston,  who  told  me  he  contemplated  having  a  rail-road  from 
Roxbury  to  State  street,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  multitude  of  business 
men  from  that  quarter ;  but,  this  could  not  be  so  easily  accomplished  as  my 
project  of  having  a  centre  at  the  State-House,  where  all  sub-urban  rail-roads 
should  meet  and  distribute.  I  h<'"'e  now  visited  Salem,  and  seen  the  tunne], 
through  which  the  Eastern  Rail-roaJ  passes  across  that  city;  and,  though 
the  distance,  there,  is  not  great,  it  shows,  plain  enough,  how  rail-roads  may 
be  conducted,  in  cities,  without  inconvenience  or  danger.  My  project,  in- 
deed, needs  only  to  be  seriously  considered,  and  then  it  will  be  found  alto- 
gether practicable,  as  well  as  efficient  for  Boston. 

There  is  no  occasion  for  executing  all  the  Distributing  and  Sub-urban 
rail-ways  which  appear  on  my  general  plan.  These  are  intended  to  illus- 
trate, and  may  be  altered  or  lessened  as  found  necessary.  A  sub-urban 
rail-way  may  be  first  tiied,  so  as  to  connect  Providence  rail-road  with  those 
to  the  North  and  East.  Multitudes  of  travellers  are  daily  arriving  here  who 
have  no  business  in  the  city, — merely  on  their  way,  say  from  Lowell  and 
Portland  to  Providence  and  Is^ew  York,  or,  the  contrary.  It  would  certainly 
be  a  great  comfort  and  saving  to  such  travellers,  could  they  proceed,  with- 
out stopping  here ;  while  it  would  lessen  the  bustle  at  the  depots,  and  col- 
lision in  streets.  Were  rail-road  corporations  to  go  hand  in  hand  for  this,  it 
might  soon  be  effected.  Afterwards,  at  any  time,  sub-urban  and  distributing 
rail-ways  may  be  extended  through  the  city,  when  required. 
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29 


WASHINGTON  SQUARE. 

r,  Church.     B,  Statue.     A,  Faneuil  Hall.    N,  Addition.     E.  Elm  St.    F.Ann 

St.    M,  Exchange  St. 


UNION    STREET 


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MERCHANTS    ROW 


29 


WASHINGTON  CRESCENT. 

A.   FOUNTAIN.  — JB.  CHURCH. 


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BOYLSTON    STREET 


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30 

builders,  with  wliom  to  purchase  up,  quietly,  all  the  property  as  a 
I)rofitable  speculation.  It  would,  indeed,  give  double  value  to  every 
foot  of  land,  while  buildings  of  the  first  class  could  be  substituted 
for  a  rookery  of  rubbish.  I,  however,  can  only  recommend  for  the 
public  good  ;  and  shall  say,  that  this  with  many  other  improvements, 
should  be  classed  together,  for  legislation,  when  a  plan  for  general 
improvement  is  considered  by  you.  A  church,  where  I  have  placed 
one,  would  be  a  striking  object,  looking  down  "Washington  street  from 
the  north-east;  and,  a  fountain  could  not  be  more  happily  situated  than 
in  the  corner  cut  off'  from  the  Common  by  the  opening  to  and  from 
the  Crescent.  It  would  be  prominent,  along  Tremont  and  Boylston 
streets  ;  but,  its  effect  would  be  best,  as  a  vista,  terminating  the  two 
great  shaded  walks  of  the  Common.  Now  that  there  is  a  serious 
move  for  procuring  a  necessary  supply  of  water  to  the  city,  I  feel 
confident,  that  this  will  not  V,e  overlooked.  Washington  Crescent 
would  afford  a  pleasanter  and  speedier  egress  and  ingress  to  Wash- 
ington street,  to  and  from  Providence  and  New  York  depot ;  and, 
the  cutting  ofT  the  corner  of  the  Common  would  facilitate  the  pas- 
sage both  from  this  and  Tremont  street.  Not  only  distance  saved, 
but  the  avoidance  of  sharp  turns,  is  well  worthy  of  consideration. 
A  lane  opened  up,  in  a  direct  line  from  the  corner  to  Providence 
Depot,  would  be  beneficial,  and  is  worthy  of  consideration.  It  would 
save  considerable  distance,  and  avoid  a  very  awkward  turn  at  the 
end  of  Boylston  street. 

WASHINGTON    CIRCUS, 

The  property  being  yet  of  no  great  value  where  this  is  marked 
out  on  my  general  plan,  I  hope  it  may  be  duly  attended  to.  It  would 
serve  as  a  vestibule,  on  entering  Boston,  from  the  south ;  and,  from 
which  the  way-farer  might  direct  his  steps,  —  forward,  right,  or  left. 
— Forward,  he  would  be  prepared  to  pass  under  the  Triumphal 
Arch,  and  solemnly  call  to  mind  the  first  decided  advantage  in  the 
revolutionary  struggle.  To  the  left,  he  would  have  a  grand  view 
across  Cikcus  Island  :  to  the  right,  such  another  over  South 
Boston  Bay;  which  may  be  formed  into  a  beautiful  sheet  of  water, 
with  elegant  buildings  around  it,  and  Dorchester  heights  in  the 
distance. 

When  a  general  plan  for  the  improvement  of  Boston  is  about 
being  adopted,  it  would  be  well  to  consider  whether  there  should 
not  be  a  canal  from  South  Boston  Bay  to  the  Empty  basin.  I  would 
not  have  it  navigable,  but  only  of  a  certain  depth,  so  as  to  afford  the 
greatest  constant  fall  into  the  basin;  which  might  be  used  either  for 
mill  power,  or  as  a  cascade,  for  show.  To  effect  this,  there  must  be 
a  sluice  gate  erected,  at  South  Boston  bridge,  to  retain  the  water  in 
the  bay,  at  flood  tide.  The  whole  may  be  made  very  beautiful, 
while  cleanliness  and  health  would  be  promoted.  This  canal  may 
be  in  connection  with  Washington  Circus  ;  or,  between  that  and 
Roxbury,  as  judged  best  after  mature  study. 


31 


■r 


NEW    8TREET. 

Ilavitifij  montioncul  this  to  the  (K)V(>rnor,  and  iiiurkcd  it  on  my 
gcnciiil  |)lnn,  I  vvuitUl  now  sulii'il  your  more  spociiil  attention  to  tlio 
subject,  which  is  really  important.  There  is  wanted,  in  that  quur- 
ter,  a  f^rand  approach  to  the  business  part  oC  the  city  ;  and,  the  lino 
directly  between  the  church  in  ISunnner  street,  and  that  in  Federal 
street,  is  the  best,  not  only  for  utility  but  beauty.  The  street  should 
be  70  feet  wide,  with  sunk  areas  ;  and,  nothini;  could  lie  nioro 
pleasing  to  iho  eye  than  the  two  most  elegant  steeples  of  lioston, 
terniinatina;  the  street,  each  way.  At  Federal  street  churcli,  a 
circus  ol  'JOO  feet  in  diameter,  should  partly  embrace  that  church, 
and  receive  into  it,  besides  New  street, — Federal  street,  north  and 
south, — Atkinson  street,  and  Berry  street,  with  I'Vanklin  street  meet- 
ing this  last,  in  direct  line,  &c.  Some  large  and  valuable  houses 
must  be  pulled  down  ;  but,  a  vast  addition  of  value  would  be  gained, 
by  rebuilding  and  completing  the  whole.  In  short,  it  would  pay  ; 
while  all  concerned  would  be  richer,  and  better  accommodated. 

Boston  has  not  done  enough,  in  honor  of  the  great  man  who  was 
born  and  bred  here.  The  circus  might  have,  in  its  centre,  a  lofty  pil- 
lar bearing  his  name ;  and  thus,  there  would  be,  in  the  same  neigh- 
borhood, Franklin  Street,  Franklin  Crescent,  Franklin  Circus,  and 
Franklin  Pillar. 

Should  New  street  be  resolved  on, — then,  opening  up  Atkinson 
street,  in  continuation  with  it, — widening  Congress  street,  and  Ex- 
change street, — a  grand,  and  highly  important  thoroughfare  through 
the  business  part  of  the  city,  much  wanted,  would  be  obtained  ; 
while  the  Church,  in  Federal  street,  would  be  finely  displayed  from 
the  north,  as  well  as  from  the  south.  Let  any  one  look  southward 
out  of  Congress  street,  and  this  will  appear. 


t 


THE    WATER,    AND    ELYSIAN    FIELDS. 

The  extent  of  water  within  the  Boulevards,  around  C'ircus  Island 
and  the  Elysian  Fields,  6cc.  is  what  I  deem  necessary  for  use  and 
ornament.  By  no  means  should  it  be  diminished.  Had  my  ideas 
not  been  made  known,  it  appears  from  conversation,  that,  the  empty 
basin  would  speedily  have  been  built  on.  I  sincerely  trust  it  never 
will  be,  saving  to  give  place  for  Circus  Island.  All  tlic  rest  is  de- 
sirable for  health,  cleanliness,  and  beauty.  When  the  boundarie.s 
are  fixed,  the  surface  destined  for  water  should  be  dredged,  to  the 
depth  of  three  or  four  feet;  afterwards,  to  he  kept  clear  of  weeds  and 
other  admixture.  The  mud  will  be  required  for  the  elevation  of  the 
Elysian  Fields;  which  may  be  appropriated  either  to  pleasure,  oras 
a  Cemetery.     These,  at  all  events,  ought  not  to  be  built  upon. 

Charles  River  can  easily  be  narrowed,  upwards  ;  and  thus  be  im- 
proved for  navigation. 


,'.   t 


WOOD-CUTS,    AND    SECTIONS. 

I  would  apologize  for  the  wood-cuts,  as  they  are  all  indifferent ; 
but,  more  especially,  for  the   Sections.     It  was  neces.sary  to  have 
3* 


32 

tliesc,  that  some  idoa  might  ho  formed  of  what  was  written  ahont ; 
but,  they  wofully  degrade  snhjccts,  which  even  the  jjaintcr's  finest 
touclu'S  cou'd  not  do  justice  to.  Mr.  Harvey,  who,  this  season,  has 
exhihited  many  beautiful  landscapes  at  the  AthentiMiin,  happily 
brings  to  notice  what  the  bright  sun  and  clear  atmosphere  of  Amer- 
ica can  eflect;  but,  I  question  if  he  could  find  scenes  for  his  pencil, 
any  where,  to  compare  to  what  the  lioule varus  and  Circus  Island 
will  present  to  view,  when  adorned  with  elms  of  a  hundred  years 
growth.  The  united  effects  of  wood,  and  water,  and  architecture, 
will  then  be  not  only  unique  but  wonderful ;  while  sailing  vessels, 
and  rail-road  trains  will  superadd  life,  and  motion,  and  endless  vari- 
ety to  the  scene.  Only  think  of  a  train  drawn  forth  from  its  depot  by 
the  steam-horse,*  and  threading  Circus  Island  :  still  more  astonish- 
ing,—  flying  across  the  water,  at  the  rate  of  a  mile  a  minute,  under 
the  influence  of  atmospheric  pressure  I 

The  section  of  the  Boulevards  shows  the  high  and  low  water 
mark.  The  unit  of  altitude,  for  Boston,  is  eleven  feet  and  a  fourth 
part.  I  would  have  the  ceihngs  of  basements  in  buildings  eight 
feet  above  this ;  and,  the  basement  floors  higher  or  lower,  as  re- 
quired for  special  purposes.  In  every  house  of  the  New  Town 
there  may  be  a  tank,  or  sea-water  bath,  to  fill  and  empty  with  the 
tide ;  or,  to  be  kept  full  or  empty,  at  pleasure. 

The  section  shows  the  first  floor,  of  the  houses,  flush  with  the 
street;  but  this  may  be  raised,  one,  two,  three,  or  four  feet,  as  may 
seem  best,  by  means  of  steps  from  the  foot-pavement,  over  the 
sunk  area,  without  changing  the  appearance  of  the  street. 

The  breadth  of  the  Boulevards  is  put  at  200  feet,  but  may  be 
increase  1  or  diminished.  The  trees  are  farthest  apart,  in  the  mid- 
dle, to  indicate  that  a  carriage  road  may  be  there ;  and  it  might  be 
pleasant,  in  summer,  to  drive  under  the  shade  of  trees ;  but  such 
road  may  be,  or  not.  Perhaps,  it  may  be  judged  best  to  exclude 
horses  and  carriages. 

By  the  section  of  Circus  Island,  it  appears,  that  the  streets  are 
18  feet  above  the  water  level,  in  the  empty  basin  ;  and  14  feet  above 
the  rail-road  ;  which  admits  of  the  trains — engines  and  cars — passing 


*  I  cannot  deny  myself  the  pleasure  of  copying  from  the  writings  of  Elihu 
Burritt,  the  learned  blacksmith,  his  description  of  the  steam-horse : — "  I  love 
to  see  one  of  those  huge  creatures,  with  sin  3V'fl  of  brass  and  muscles  of  iron, 
strut  forth  from  his  smoky  stable,  and  salutui!'  the  long  train  of  cars  with  a 
dozen  sonorous  puffs  from  his  iron  nost'ils,  fall  gently  back  into  his 
harness.  There  he  stands,  champing  and  foaming  upon  the  iron  track, — his 
great  heart  a  furnace  of  glowing  coals :  his  lymphatic  blood  is  boiling  in  his 
veins :  the  strength  of  a  thousand  horses  is  nerving  his  sinews :  he  pants  to 
be  gone.  He  would  'snake'  St.  Peter's  across  the  desert  of  Sahara,  if  he 
could  be  fairly  hitched  to  it;  but  there  is  a  little  sober-eyed,  tobacco-chew- 
ing man  in  the  saddle,  who  holds  him  in  with  one  finger,  and  can  take  away 
his  breath  in  a  moment,  should  he  grow  restive  and  vicious.  I  am  always 
deeply  interested  in  this  man,  for,  begrimmed  as  he  may  be  with  coal  di- 
luted in  oil  and  steam,  I  regard  him  as  the  genius  of  the  whole  machinery^ 
— as  the  physical  mind  of  that  huge  steam  horse." 


T 


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I-'    ! 


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Mi 


below  <lie  streets.  The  diameter  of  the  depot  is  put  at  200  feet,  but 
may  be  less  or  more;  as,  may  every  part  of  the  island,  when  all  is 
minutely  considered.  The  section  gives  a  very  poor  idea,  indeed, 
of  the  grandeur  of  Circus  Island,  "  e  city  of  Venice  exhibits 
nothing  to  compare  to  it  or  the  Boidevards ;  though,  there,  op[)ortu- 
nities  were  a  Horded  'or  fine  displays  of  the  kind. 


ET   CETERA, — KT  CETERA. 

During  my  stay  in  Boston,  I  have  seldom  walked  abroad,  but 
some  object  for  improvement  has  caught  my  eye.  I  shall  direct  at- 
tention to  the  two  most  worthy  of  notice. 

When  it  ^l■as  proposed  to  place  a  statue  of  General  Washington 
on  the  site  of  the  Old  State  IIouso,  I  began  to  look  at  that  building; 
and,  the  more  it  vi'as  looked  at,  t*^'^  ^^ore  ic  seemed  worthy  of  pres- 
ervation. In  fact,  it  is  a  g  ouiy  specimen  of  the  olden  time,  and 
its  tower  is  elegant.  I  would  by  no  means  h>tve  it  removed,  but 
shall  suggest  some  beneficial  alterations.  I  would  cut  off"  20  or  30 
fee' , — two  or  three  windows,  from  the  east  end  ;  and  add  a  story  to 
the  height  ^f  wall,  which  the  long  and  steep  roof  admits  of ;  thereby 
getting  quit  of  the  storm  v/indows,  and  long  gawky  chimney  stacks. 
Shortening  the  building  would  add  to  th^  respectability  of  State 
siroet,  and  afK"'l  more  room  for  an  audience  listening  to  orators 
mounted  on  the  rostrum.  It  would  yield  a  full  sweep  for  carriages 
coming  out  of,  or  entering  Devofjshire  street;  and,  from  Washingion 
street,  it  \,"ould  widen  the  view,  down  State  street.  The  building, 
itself,  would  lool'-  better.  Having,  then,  the  form  of  a  cross,  it  would 
resemble  a  church ;  and  tne  tower  would  be  more  conspicuou.s  from 
the  east,  while  the  centre  of  its  east  end  would  more  nearly  approxi- 
mate to  that  of  State  street.  Although  it  stands  in  the  middle  of 
that  street,  I  do  not  think  it  an  obstruction  :  on  the  contrary,  it  serves 
to  divide  the  currents  flowing  into  it  from  Washington  street  and 
Court  sireet;  and  prevents  coUision,  which  migiit  otherwise  hap- 
pen from  the  opposing  streams. 

Citizens  of  Boston  can  never  be  too  grateful  for  the  good  done  by 
President  Quincy  moni.l  and  physical,  while  he  was  Mayor, — his 
&v;ouring  the  streets  of  indecency,  and  erecting  the  market  called 
after  him.  Qumcy  Market  would  be  respectable  any  where  ;  and, 
as  yet,  is  perhaps,  sufficiently  capacious.  By-and-by  ,  however,  it 
may  be  enlarged  to  advantage ;  and,  fortunately,  there  is  room  for 
this.  It  is  narrower  by  some  27  feet  than  Faneuii  Hall ;  and, in  the 
fullness  of  time,  it  may  be  made  equally  vide,  and  equally  high. 
Then,  the  architecture  of  both  may  be  improved,  and  made  ,o  cor- 
respond. Also,  there  may  be  a  gallery  over  the  market  suitiiig  the 
utmost  wants  of  exhibitions  such  as  that  now  about  to  be, — the  ex- 
hibition of  mechanic  excellence,  (the  Mechanic  Fair,) — for  mighty 
civic  feasts,  &c. — All  this,  I  think,  should  be  kept  in  view. 

Krra7a.— Pn(?e  16,  Ctli  line  frrm  foot,  for  "  /( '  reail  "  /."'    What  is  said,  pair*  '>?,  as  to  Britidh 
Steaiiitrg  coming  direct  to  Boston,  is  now,  by  belter  iiiformntioti,  found  to  bu  incorrect. 


35 


EXTENT   OF   IMPROVEMENTS. 

The  mass  of  the  New  Town,  aUuded  to,  would  lay  within  a  Hne 
described  with  a  radius  of  two  miles  and  -.  half — the  State  House 
being  a  centre — from  Tremont  road  to  Charlestown,  A  radius  of 
one  mile  would  nearly  inc.'ose  all  within  the  lioulevnrds  ;  and,  sup- 
posing it  to  be  fcur  miles  from  Tremont  road  to  Charleston  '■n,  along 
the  middle  of  the  intervening  space, — then,  there  would  be  nearly  six 
square  miles  of  surface  for  building  on  ;  and,  I  have  calculated,  "  that 
there  are,  at  least,  2,000  acres  of  surface  now  wholly  worthless,  from  the 
overjloiv  of  ivater."  This,  altogether,  is  rough  guessing,  but  near 
enough  for  present  purposes. 

I  would  recommend  a  special  Act  of  the  legislature,  regardinjr  this 
extent:  another,  regarding  all  within  a  complete  circle  described 
with  the  above  radius  ;  and,  a  third  Act,  regarding  what  would  be 
included  within  a  radius  of  six  miles.  The  first-mentioned  circle 
would  take  in  South  and  East  Boston,  tue  villages  of  Roxbury, 
Charlestown,  and  Chelsea  • — the  second,  Dorchesier,  and  part  of 
Quincy,  Jamaica  Plains,  Brookline,  Brighton,  Watertown,  Medford, 
and  Maiden ;  with  all  the  islands  of  the  harbor  not  outside  of  the 
Narrows  and  Broad  Sound. 

Two  hundred  years  ago,  Westminster  was  distinct  from  London  ; 
and,  I  can  remember  when  Islington  and  Hakney,  Camberwell  and 
Kensington,  with  many  other  villages  in  the  neighborhood,  were 
parted  by  extensive  pastures  and  garden  grounds.  Now,  all  are 
conglomerated  into  one  vast  mass  of  building,  except  the  public 
parks  and  squares.  By-und-bye,  these  being  considered  insufficient 
for  recreation  and  health,  Regent  park  was  laid  out;  and,  more  re- 
cently, Government  has  appropriated  public  money  to  provide 
pleasure-grounds  for  other  cities.  It  will,  I  nm  sure,  be  wise,  should 
you,  by  legislation,  look  to  the  approaching  wants  of  Boston,  in  the 
same  way  ;  and,  by  doing  so,  in  time,  within  the  circles  spoken  of, 
you  may  secure,  cheaply  and  in  the  best  manner,  what  will  be  most 
advantageous  to  all  concerned, — individuals,  and  the  public. 

Most  fortunately,  the  Common  was  at  an  early  clay  devoted  to 
the  health  and  recreation  of  citizens  of  Boston;  and,  merciiiiUy 
was  the  Botanic  Garden  withheld  from  building  on,  as  once  con- 
templated. In  addition  to  these,  the  Elysian  Fields  and  Boulevards 
will  not  be  too  much  for  the  New  ToAvn  ;  besides  a  due  assortment 
of  squares,  crescents,  and  circuses. 

What  a  misery  is  it,  that,  within  the  peninsula,  there  is  not  space 
left  for  yard-room  to  each  house,  where  children  may  divert  them- 
selves, safely,  in  the  open  air;  and,  those  of  mature  years  cultivate 
fiowei.s,  to  soften  their  hearts  and  better  their  affections.  Plannmg 
out  the  NeAV  town,  this  should  be  seen  to.  Nay,  I  Avould  enact  that 
so  much  room  should  be  secured,  forever,  against  the  inroad  of  ra- 
pacity, and  dedicated  to  such  sacred  purposes.  Now  that  ruil-roads 
diminish  distance,  such  luxury  can  be  afforded  without  the  smallest 
inconvenience ;  for,  this  makes  it  unnecessary  to  crowd  buildings 
together  within  the  least  space. 


'^■| 


J  ' 


36 


It  is  to  be  regretted,  that  there  was  no  plan  for  the  extension  of 
Boston  at  an  early  day ;  but,  less  excusable  was  it,  when  larger 
masses  of  building  were  about  being  added  to  the  city,  that  the  Au- 
thorities did  not  interpose,  and  look  out  for  the  health  and  comfort 
of  posterity.  Look  to  Marion  street,  only  24  feet  wide  ;  and  many 
others  in  the  same  neighborhood  still  narrower  ;  with  miserable  holes 
for  entrance,  by  stairs,  into  the  basements  ;  Avhich  are  sinks  of  dis- 
ease and  infection, — being  without  sulhcient  light  or  air.  Look  to 
Harrison  Avenue,  an  approach  to  tiie  city,  and  a  mile  long,  only  60 
feet  wide.  No  street,  even  the  shortest,  should  be  less  than  30  feet 
wide;  if  a  quarter  of  a  mile  long,  dO  feet;  if  half  a  mile.  70;  and, 
if  a  mile,  not  less  than  90  feet. — Harrison  Avenue  is  evidently  too 
narrow,  as  well  for  appearance,  as  the  stream  of  traffic  which  flows 
through  it.     It  ought  to  have  been  hO  feet,  at  least. 

Could  the  British  Government  have  anticipated  the  mighty  growth 
of  London,  and  had  facilities  of  our  day,  what  an  amount  of  comfort, 
convenience,  and  beauty  might  have  been  secured  by  planning 
rightly  I — how  admirably  might  the  remote  parts  of  that  mass  of 
building  been  connected  !  Now,  then,  is  the  time  for  action,  here  : — 
now,  not  only  may  errors  be,  in  part,  corrected ;  but,  the  very  best 
measures  may  be  adopted  for  the  growth  of  this  city,  which  has 
every  chance  to  go  beyond  London,  in  magnitude,  before  two  hun- 
dred years  are  at  an  end : — Yes,  London  never  can  have  such  an 
amount  of  commerce  as  Boston  will  have  within  that  period.  Com- 
pare the  back  country  of  Boston  with  that  of  London, — a  thousand, 
with  a  hundred  miles !  Think  that  London  became  great  before 
Liverpool  began  to  compete  with  her  in  trade  ;  and,  that  she  is  kept 
growing  by  a  multitude  of  accidental  and  factitious  circumstances 
which  time  may  change  and  dissipate,  while  Boston  only  waits  for 
certainties, — the  c-nstant  and  sure  increase  of  American  population, 
— American  enterprise,  and  American  stability, — the  freedom  of  all 
mankind,  and  the  last — the  glorious  triumph  of  humanity  over  in- 
stalled despotisms,  ignorance,  and  vice. 

It  is  not  so  much  the  export  of  raw  produce  which  increases  the 
wealth  and  population  of  a  city,  as  llie  combined  advantages  of 
general  commerce.  New  York  and  New  Orleans  may  export  more 
ilour  and  pork,  cotton  and  sugar,  tie.  than  Boston;  but,  will  fall 
short  of  her,  in  many  other  respects.  Venice,  and  sorue  other  cities, 
became  great  and  powerful,  although  the\  had  little  raw  produce  to 
dispose  of: — nay,  while  they  imported  their  own  food  ;  but  they 
trafficked  all  round  the  world,  and  drew  profit  from  exchanging  the 
products  of  distant  nations.  Boston,  in  all  this,  has  already  gone 
ahead;  and  to  the  most  jirofitable  employment  of  capital  on  the 
ocean,  she  is  making  mighty  investments  of  stock  in  manufactures, 
— more  lucrative  than  agriculture.  Her  manufactured  articles  will 
ever  find  a  profitable  market  in  the  south,  and  furnish  abundant  lux- 
uries; while  a  small  proportion  will  readily  supply  her  with  bread 
from  the  west.  Her  position,  on  the  globe  and  on  the  sea-board  : 
her  capital,  gradually  increasing:  her  indefatigable  industry:  her 
knowledge,  her  habits,  and  her  enterprise, — all  conspire  to  her  great- 


■Hi 


r 


ncss.  Boston,  indeed,  wants  but  time;  and,  your forclhoiiglit should 
pre|>!ii-e  for  it. 

William  Pf-nn  was  the  first  to  exercise  foretbouj^ht  on  this  conti- 
nent, in  city  buildinu:;  and,  witb  so  good  an  example  as  Pliiladclphia, 
it  is  strange  tliat  New  York  was  so  long  behind ;  but,  yet  stra-iger 
by  far  is  neglect  here.  New  York  did  well,  so  far,  to  lay  out  ave- 
nues and  streets:  but,  belter  still  may  be  done  there,  lieyond 
where  buildings  have  reached,  there  is  a  tract  on  which  architec- 
ture and  ruial  beauty  may  be  combined  to  the  greatest  advanta"-e. 
,Along  Ilicrlcui  heights,  grandeur  luiprecedentcd  may  be  exhib- 
ited; and.  even  so  far  as  Kingston  bridge,  nature  invites  the  citizens 
of  New  York  to  improve  the  beauties  of  their  island :  so,  within 
the  space  inclosed  by  the  outer  circle  round  Boston,  (call  it 
Boston  Bounds,)  fine  improvements  may  be  made,  at  little 
cost,  n^-^rely  by  connecting,  and  exhibiting  to  the  greatest  advantage, 
those  rare  and  beautiful  features  ".vhich  nature  has  here  thrown  to- 
gether for  the  hand  of  man  to  work  upon. 

The  high  grounds  near  Roxbury,  C'helsea,  &c. — Mount  Auburn, 
Fresh  Pond,  Spy  Pond,  &e. — the  streams,  the  islands,  and  the 
promontories  ; — all  may  be  made  to  harmonise,  in  one  grand  pano- 
rama,— to  display  striking  and  enchanting  scenes,  such  as  imagina- 
tion, once  awakened,  may  conceive  better  than  it  it  is  possible  to 
describe. 

How  easily  could  paths, and  rides,  and  drives,  be  conducted  round 
about,  and  among  all  these  fascinating  objects  I — How  agreeable 
would  it  be  to  have  public  carriages,  hourly,  to  carry  us  to  each  place, 
in  turn, — allowing  sufficient  time  for  strangers  to  be  satisfied  : — to 
have  a  steamboat,  in  connection,  running  from  Squantum  Point: 
touching  at  certain  promontories,  islands,  &;c. ;  and,  landing  at  Win- 
throp  head  I — All  this,  needs  but  legislation  ;  for,  if  set  about,  it 
would  pay,  and  vield  unspeakable  gratification. 


II 


AVAYS  AND  MEANS. 


I  have  calculated,  that.  "  there  are  2,000  acres  icholly  ivorthlesx, 
ivhic'i,  by  the  proposed  improvements,  icould  he  realized  to  im/uoise 
val"'e  :" — and  have  said,  ihixt,  "  so  far /ro7n  expense  being  incurred, 
V  -v:'  n::''ri Id  instantly  ensi/e." — Let  me  now  prove  it. 

*'  .  1  i  *bund  favor  in  the  sight  of  the  city  authorities  last  year,  as 
a  ,  ."  and,  had  they  taken  my  oflers  for  embellishment  of  the 
Com.  '  n,  my  credit  by  this  time  might  have  been  established  so 
far,tiiat,  perhaps,  you,  gentlemen,  w^ould  have  listened  to  me,  in  say- 
ing that,  even  as  a  farmer,  I  could  pay  rent  for  the  2,000  acres,  on  a 
lease  of  20  years;  and,  during  that  period,  embank,  drain,  and  make 
solid  dry  land  of  all  these  acres,  free  of  cost  to  the  public.  As  it  is, 
and  to  stimulate  some  other  person  better  known  here,  and  thence 
more  wortliy  of  confidence,  I  shall  frankly  tell  how  I  Av'^ould  go  to 

work.     I  would  contract  with  my  friend ,  of  Bani:,or,  for  a 

supply  of  coarse  himber,  with  which  I  would  pile  and  slab  up  two 
.ncs,  20  feet  apart,  along  the  whole  front  of  the  Boulevards ;  and. 


■    i 


1 

i    i 
I 

[   \ 


38 


f! 


in  same  way,  confine  Charles  Ptivcr,  upwards,  within  proper  bounds; 
— filling  up  the  space  between  the  piling,  with  stones  and  gravel. 
I  would,  then,  drive  stakes,  in  lines  retreating  from  the  Boulevards, 
outward,  and  a  furlong  apart,  each  from  each  ;  which  stakes  I  would 
warp  with  brushwood;  anci,  then,  leave  the  greater  part  of  the  sur- 
face to  do  its  own  business,  by  arresting  mud  and  floating  substan- 
ces, for  the  formation  of  land.  Perhaps,  I  might  agree  with  mill- 
owners  and  others,  up  streai"-.  so  far  as  Waltham,  to  allow  me  to 
cut  channels  from  Charles  River  into  my  inclosures,  that,  during 
freshets,  mud,  etc.,  might  be  carried  thither  to  settle  down;  and, 
with  leave,  I  might  put  sluices  on  the  river,  also  in  aid  of  my  works, 
&c.  &;c.  &c. 

Whoever  will  take  the  trouble  to  walk  along  the  Mill-Dam  and 
various  bridges  downwards,  at  ebb  tide,  will  see  that  there  is  little 
deep  water  outside  the  line  of  the  Boulevards ; — so  that,  there 
would  be  no  difliculty  in  piling,  or  staking :  and  whoever  has  seen 
operations,  elsewhere,  for  making  land,  in  the  Vv'ay  described,  will 
acknowledge  that  it  is  wonderfully  efficient  and  expeditious.  It 
would  not  leave  .  v^ry  great  deal  to  do  with  travelled  earth;  nor 
would  the   raovin;^  .'is,  by  temporary  rail-roads,   be   ruinous. 

Mark  then,  how  spe«..  acres  for  cultivation  might  thus  be  se- 
cured; and,  how  produc  .ve  these  might  be  made  from  city  manure, 
street  sweepings,  &c. 

I  have  said,  that  "  south  of  the  Mill- Dam  may  be  set  about  and 
completed;  next,  that  betiveen  the  Mill- Dam,  Cambridge,  East  Cam- 
bridge," &c.  I  would,  in  fact,  begin  to  sell  off,  for  building,  at  Prov- 
idence Depot ;  and,  proceed  round  the  Boulevards,  just  as  there  was 
demand  for  building  lots.  Any  one  may  amuse  himself,  with  cal- 
culating what  the  2,000  acres  would  bring  at  the  rate  of  a  dollar  and 
half  a  foot ;  which  is,  I  understand,  the  selling  price  of  building 
lots  on  the  New  street  fronting  the  Botanic  Garden  at  the  present 
time. 

If  this  brief  sketch  is  not  all  that  may  be  required  for  conviction, 
I  shall  willingly  explain  further,  when  you  appoint  a  committee  to 
investigate  and  report  on  the  whole  matter. 

Gentlemen  : — Volumes  might  bo  written  on  the  improvement  of 
Boston.  I  have  attempted  only  to  give  a  lead  to  inquiry.  The 
subject  is  mighty,  and  cannot  be  too  gravely  considered.  It  re- 
gards the  comfort  of  generations  in  all  coming  time.  No  country 
ever  started  with  such  advantages  as  the  United  States :  no  city 
ever  had  such  prospects  as  this  at  the  present  moment.  It  seems 
to  me,  that  the  watery  waste  which  surrounds  Boston  has  been  de- 
signed, first,  that  the  inhabitants  should  be  penned  up,  and  thence 
feel  discomfort,  till  now  that  the  utmost  advantage  may  be  made  of 
it : — that  on  this  waste  they  may  form  a  city,  surpassing  all  others, 
either  in  ancient  or  modern  times. 

I  have  now  only  to  commend  you  to  God,  and  to  pray  that  He 
may  direct  you  in  all  things.  Very  sincerely,  yours, 

ROB.  F.  GOURLAY. 

Marlboro'  Hotel,  September  14,  1844. 


1 


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581 


THE    SCIENCE    OF    CITY    BUILDING 


ExTiiACT.//-o??i  the  Aiitohiograj^Jn/  of  John  TrumhuH : — 

"  I  arrived  in  London  in  Januury  1781,  went  immediately  to  Mr. 
West,  and  was  received  most  cordially. 

"  My  father  had  written  a  letter  to  Mr.  Edmund  Burke,  expressive 
of  his  gratitude  for  the  kindness  shown  to  his  son  whsni  in  ])rison, 
and  connnending  me  to  his  future  protection.  This  letter  I  early 
presented,  and  Avas  most  kindly  rec(,'ivcd.  '  Your  [\ii\\o,x  speaks  of 
painting  as  being  the  great  object  of  your  pursuit :  do  you  not  intend 
to  study  architecture  also?'  asked  Mr.  Burke.  I  rei)lied,  tiiat  "I 
thought  I  knew  enough  already  for  my  purjtose  in  backgrounds, 
&c.'  '  I  do  not  mean  that,  Mr.  Trumbull.  You  arc  aware,  that 
architecture  is  the  eldest  sister,  that  ])ainting  and  sculpture  are  the 
youngest,  and  subservient  to  her :  you  must  also  be  aware,  that  you 
belong  to  a  young  nation,  which  will  soon  want  pu])lic  buildings : 
those  must  be  erected  before  the  decu  itions  of  painting  and  sculp- 
ture will  be  recjuired.  I  would  therefore  strongly  ndvi.se  you  to 
study  architecture  thoroughly  and  scienlilically,  in  order  to  cpialify 
yourself  to  superintend  the  erection  of  these  national  buildings. 
Decorate  them,  also,  if  you  please.' 

"  This  was  wise  and  kind  advice,  and  I  had  afterwards  sullicient 
evidence  of  my  own  want  of  wisdom  in  neglecting  to  follow  it:  a 
few  of  the  hours  of  evenings,  which,  with  all  my  fancied  industry, 
were  trilled  away,  would  have  sufficed  for  the  acquisition  of  thor- 
ough architectural  knowledge." 

Mr.  Truml)uirs  biography  was  published  1S41,  and  he  died  last 
year.  This  year,  I  believe,  for  the  first  time,  allention  has  been  called 
to  defects  in  the  architecture  of  the  U^nitcd  States,  by  a  native, — a 
writer  in  the  North  American  Bcview.  It  is  not  important  to  notice 
the  cA'/cf^s  of  this  writer;  but  it  is  well  that  the  subject  has  been 
brought  up  to  public  notice. 

In  the  year  1831,  the  Custom-IIouse  in  New  York  was  about  be- 
ing built,  and  an  elevation  of  it  was  juiblished  in  newspapers.  This 
drew  the  attention  of  Mr.  William  Ross,  a  scientific  and  practical 
architect,  just  then  arrived  from  England.  lie  informed  those  who 
had  charge  of  the  work,  that  the  dome,  which  appeared  in  the  ele- 
vation, was  not  correct:  in  fact,  the  person  who  had  furnished  the 
plan  and  the  elevation  had  not  been  master  of  his  profession.  Mr. 
Ross  was  employed  to  correct  details,  and,  although  a  dome  ajipears 
inside  of  the  building,  the  walls  have  been  car.iod  up  to  hide  it  from 
view,  outside  :  indeed,  the  whole  roof  is  now  nearly  Hat, — being  cov- 
ered over  with  marble  slabs. 

Last  year,  I  endeavored  to  correct  a  monslrous  error  at  Bunker- 
Hill  Monument,  but  failed. — Having  been  on  *he  top  of  it,  April  21, 
1813, 1  wrote  the  following  lines,  and  gave  them  to  the  door-keeper  : 


I' 

i 


382 


Tho  London  "  hullif  lin/s  his  head  ami  lir.t  ; 
But  THIS — more  Irutlii'ul,  all  tho  world  ilelies. 

On  coming  away,  I  observed  some  laborers  digging  into  the  ban  k 
on  the  south  side  of  the  hill ;  and,  going  to  thcm,inf|iiired  oC  a  young 
man  who  was  superintending  the  work,  what  was  the  object.  He 
told  me  it  was  a  foundation  lor  a  stair  to  approach  the  monument. 
By  placing  myself  opposite  the  centre  of  the  monument,  I  saw  that 
the  digging  was  some  10  or  12  feet  too  far  west,  and  informed  tlie 
young  man  of  the  error.  He  said,  they  took  the  middle  of  the  bank 
for  the  proper  ])lace.  I  replied,  that  people  would  look  not  to  the 
mif'dle  of  the  bank,  l)ut  the  middle  of  the  monument;  and,  that  he 
should  ap|)risc  his  eniployer  of  this,  as  a  few  dollars  would  yet  ]Mit  all 
right.  Coming  into  the  city,  I  wrote  a  letter  to  the  editor  of  Boston 
Post,  and,  the  more  to  attract  notice,  headed  the  letter  with  the 
above  couplet ;  but,  the  editor  returned  my  letter,  and  my  trouble 
went,  then,  for  nothing. 

Two  months  afterwards,  I  walked  to  Charlestown,  and  found  a 
handsome  stair  where  the  people  had  been  digging,  with  three 
others; — one,  on  the  north  side  of  the  hill;  one,  on  the  east,  and 
another,  on  the  west.  I  have  since  measured  the  departures  fium 
the  riglit  positions,  and  th.ey  are  as  follow: — Tiie  stair  on  the  south 
side, — that  first  spoken  of, — 11  feet  wrong:  that  on  the  north  side, 
15  feet:  that  on  the  west,  16;  and,  that  on  the  east,  22. 

Meeting  a  [)ersonon  the  top  of  the  hill,  I  spoke  of  the  errors,  and 
he  informed  me  of  a  curious  result.  He  said,  that  one  day  wliilc 
walking  there,  he  observed  a  gentleman  step  out  of  a  carriage  and 
look  towards  the  monument  from  the  bottom  of  the  west  stair.  Af- 
ter eyeing  it  a  while,  lliis  person,  who  was  a  Scotsman,  observed, 
that  the  monument  leaned  to  one  side  :  that,  said  my  informant, 
cannot  be,  for  it  was  erected  on  a  deep  foundation  and  very  care- 
fully built.  Tho  ScoLsman  bade  him  look  from  where  lie  was,  and 
bring  the  top  line  of  the  stair  to  bear  ujion  the  bedding  of  one  of  the 
layers  of  stone  in  the  monument,  which  would  convince  him;  and, 
in  appearance,  it  was  so.  They  then  went  to  the  opposite  side  of 
the  hill;  looked  up  the  stair,  and  found  that  the  monument  seemed 
to  lean  the  other  way.  My  informant  now  had  tlie  advantage, — 
asserting,  tliat  the  monument  could  not  lean  two  different  ways, 
In  fact,  the  error  in  building  the  stairs,  had  distorted  every  thing 
through  the  media  of  perspective. 

I  have  never  inquired  who  was  the  planner  of  these  stairs ;  and, 
certainly,  wish  not  to  injure  his  reputation.  Probably,  he  is  a  civil 
engineer,  not  an  architect,  and,  had  a  ])lnn  of  the  square  which  in- 
closes Breed's  Hill  to  work  by,  into  which  streets  are  to  run  from  the 
east,  north,  and  west.  On  the  north,  the  street  is  fbrii",ed  by  some 
wooden  buildings,  and  looking  up  that  street  towards  the  monument, 
the  planner  might  judge  it  best  to  place  the  stair  o|)posite  the  mid- 
dle of  the  street :  and,  on  his  pai)er  i)lan,  all  might  look  well  enough  ; 
but  the  grand  object,  to  be  approached,  was  the  monument.  The 
stairs  should  have  been  placed  so  as  to  tally  with  it,  and  ought  still 


383 


to  be.  The  street  on  the  north  could  yet  be  cnsily  corrected,  if  re- 
quired :  those  on  the  east,  and  west,  formed  to  tullywilh  the  correct- 
ed stairs.  It  will  be  expensive  to  alter  the  stairs  and  the  railings 
all  round  the  hill ;  but,  bettor  do  so  tirui  have  posterity,  till  the  end 
of  time,  reflecting  on  the  bungling  of  tliis  age. 

Bunglings  of  this  sort  arc  not  coiifinod  to  America:  oven  in  Ed- 
ingburgh,  which  displays  so  much  good  design  and  fine  huiUliugs, 
monstrous  blunders  have  been  committed.  Twenty  years  ago,  a  new 
approach  to  the  old  town  was  suggest od.  As  soon  as  it  ap|)cared 
that  this  would  be  executed,  a  parcel  of  individuals  bnnded  logolher 
for  speculation  in  building  lots,  —  obtained  control,  and  spodt  nil.  In- 
stead of  om])loyiug  a  civil  engineer  to  plan  out  the  ground,  they 
had  an  architect  who  favored  their  views  ;  and  he,  ignorant  of  such 
matters,  made  sad  work  of  it.  By  and  bye,  this  became  apparent ; 
and  a  civil  engineer  was  substituted  just  at  the  moment  when  the 
business  rerpiircd  an  architect.  About  the  same  time,  a  costly  clmn-h 
was  erected  in  the  new  town,  which,  for  Avimt  of  due  consideration, 
was  placed  obliquely  towards  a  street  leading  to  it;  and,  there  it 
stands  grinning  at  all  beholders,  as  does  Bunker  Hill  monument, 
seen  from  the  bundled  stairs. 

Did  a  society  exist  lor  promoting  the  science  of  city-building,  noth- 
ing of  this  sort  would  occur.  A  watchful  eye  would  be  ever  over  all 
that  concerned  the  public ;  and  by  and  bye,  every  tiling  would  be 
done  well :  indeed,  ])ublic  taste  would  be  established,  with  a  con- 
stnnt  advancement  in  eloi^ance  nnd  refinement. 

The  Boston  llorlicullural  Society  is  a  ])raise\vorthy  institution  of 
recent  origin,  and  now  becoming  respectable.  A  love  of  fine  flowers 
and  fruits  betters  all  the  allections,  and  prepares  man  for  communion 
with  God.  The  science  of  city-building  includes  this  ;  for  gardening 
and  architecture  are  sisters.  Its  study  would  not  only  ]iromote 
refinement  in  the  present  day  ;  but  tend  to  the  comfort  and  happi- 
ness of  all  succeeding  generations. 

The  disposition  to  build  cities  is  inherent  in  man,  and  necessary 
to  his  condition  on  earth.  No  sooner  did  men  begin  to  multiply,  both 
before  and  after  the  tlood,  than  they  set  about  city-building.  God 
found  no  fault  with  this,  and  checked  them  only  when  they  attempt- 
ed a  vain  and  presumptuous  thing  —  "  a  tower  whose  top  may  reach 
unto  heaven." 

It  does  not  appear,  either  from  history  or  the  remains  of  ancient 
cities,  that  any  one  of  these  was  planned  to  aflbrd  the  greatest  hap- 
piness to  the  greatest  number.  Cain  laid  out  the  first,  before  the 
flood ;  Nimrod  the  first,  after  it ;  and  naturally,  such  men  thought 
most  of  themselves.  The  mighty  ruins  of  Thebes  record  little  else 
than  the  triumphs  of  conquest ;  and  visiters  at  Athens  and  Rome, 
find  nothing  worthy  of  notice  save  the  results  of  arbjtrary  power 
and  superstition.  One  thing  should  not  be  overlooked  when  survey- 
ing the  works  of  by-gone  days; — the  fact. 'hat  when  there  was 
sufficient  stimulus,  there  was  sufficient  talent  in  man  to  produce  de- 
lightful objects.  The  superstition  of  the  Greeks  called  forth  their 
architecture,   which  is  admired  at  the  present  time ;  that  of  the 


I 


!t 


i( 


n84 


hi 


church  of  Rome,  the  pointed  architecture, — still  more  befitting  the 
house  of  God, — more  solemn  —  more  sublime.  The  middle  ages 
needed  strength,  and,  the  castellated  style,  in  many  instances,  extorts 
admiration :  now,  we  want  comfort  and  elegance,  from  the  iialace 
down  to  the  cottage,  —  order  and  arrangement,  in  streets,  —  vari- 
ety and  beauty,  in  squares,  and  crescents ;  now,  the  many  should 
plan  out  for  the  many,  and  the  many  should  stimulate  the  many  to 
do  the  best  for  all. 

Is  it  r.ot  for  the  people  of  America,  on  their  virgin  soil  and  with 
their  free  and  independent  institutions,  to  see  to  tlii.s? — and,  where, 
in  America,  is  such  fitness,  —  such  ability  for  beginning  as  in  New 
England?  —  where  such  a  subject  for  improvement,  as  the  city  of 
Boston  ? 

But,  what  am  I  told,  in  Boston  ?  —  how  have  I  been  continually 
assailed,  here,  while  offering  plans  for  the  improvement  of  the  city  ? 
"  O  !  "  it  is  said,  "  nobody  cares  for  such  matters  here  :  no  two  people, 
here,  will  agree  about  improving  the  streets :  all,  here,  are  intent  on 
securing  the  almighty-dollar  :  show  them  how  to  get  that ;  and,  then, 
you  will  have  plenty  to  approve  and  assist."  But,  this  is  not  the 
whole  truth  :  the  people  of  Boston  are  not  so  very  selfish,  or  tardy 
to  move.  Has  not  die  Common  been  fenced  in  at  great  expense  ? 
has  not  the  frog  pond  been  scoured  out,  and  made  really  a  pretty 
sheet  of  water  ? — have  not  fine  trees  been  trained  up,  and  comfortable 
walks  been  formed,  all  within  the  Common  ? — has  not  Mount  Auburn 
been  created  ? — are  not  buildings  every  day  becoming  more  and 
more  elegant? — are  not  pressed  brick  taking  the  place  of  clap- 
boards?— and  is  not  the  beautiful  granite  substituted  for  brick? 
But,  most  hopeful  of  all,  is  the  attention  paid  to  schools,  —  training 
up  the  rising  generation  to  orderly  habits,  and  the  best  principles. 
Lookto  the  school-houses  so  handsome — so  well  planned — so  costly: 
"  O  !  but  where  is  the  money  to  come  from,  for  your  mighty  projects, 
—  your  Boulevards  —  your  Circus  Island  —  and,  your  sub-urban 
railroads  ?  We  might  all  subscribe  a  little  for  a  statue  of  General 
Washington  ;  but  how  are  you  to  get  quit  of  Dock-square,  and  the 
valuable  property  all  round  ?  —  it  is  impossible,  and  no  one  will  listen 
to  you,  a  moment."  But,  I  say,  take  your  time  for  all  this  opposition, 
obstruction,  and  contempt.  I  have  been  very  happy,  here,  planning 
for  you  these  last  eighteen  months,  and  shall  remain  liappy  in  the 
assurance  that  I  have  meant  all  for  good.  Very  probably,  I  shall  be 
gone  before  there  is  any  serious  move,  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  of 
Boston,  in  this  business, — perhaps  dead:  — but,  certain  I  am,  the 
time  approaches  when  a  move  must  be  made,  and  a  great  one  too. 
Some  one,  besides  me,  will  see  that  the  wateiy  waste  —  the  2,000 
acres  of  land,  now  generating  miasma  and  disease,  close  to  Boston, 
may  be  made  available,  —  may  become  the  finest  site  in  the  world 
for  a  new  town ; — will  see,  that, — placing  the  whole  of  it,  and  much 
more,  under  proper  management,  means  may  be  obtained  not  only 
for  the  growth  of  the  new  town,  but  for  executing  every  desirable 
improvement  within  the  peninsula.  Certainly,  were  a  Society 
instituted  all  would  be  speedily  seen  to,  and  acted  on.       K.  F.  G. 


!       i 


GENERAL  PLAN  for  EmiAHGiNC,  n- 1 


UK(l  ^-  /ME 


mn  CITY  OF  BOSTON 


Etc. 


W.C.  .S'hanp's  Lxth..    2hVraJikHn.    St.  JJo.rton 


'\- 


w 


Sou  lh7   Bo  sto  n 


^ 

^ 


-o 
•^ 

^ 


.t*qiif'Sivian  .S'tatup 
of  Gen,!  Was^iniftoii 
C    Triiirnplml   Arc  ft 
com  in  f  in  n-rtiiii'i"  o /* 
rnfcri'mj  Boston    tut 
17'.'.'  March   1776. 
1)  State    House 
K  Chavlesiown   Town  Jtnll 
f.    Custnjn    lioti^'e 
G  BruUie  St.   Church 
K.  Homan  Cathnlic   J)o. 

L    Unitariart        Do  . 
M  Do.  J)o. 

^   OcleoTL 

P    Patfoda 

Q    QiiiiLcif  Afarket 

R  Jioijlfton.      Do. 

S  Drovidence    Depot 

T  Western  Do . 

F  Jin  stern.  Do  . 

W  Dow  ell  Do. 

Y  Transfer  Do. 

K  Centre   Platform 

L2.3.U.5&  6    Termini 

of    Tunnels. 
IdeS  Ell  Usances  to  dc 


rariklin   S't.  Bo.vton. 


